A comprehensive stakeholder engagement meeting is planned by the Government with participants from provincial transport authorities, MoST, the Ministry of Industries and Production, the Ministry of Communication, EDB, NH&MP, VICS, and manufacturers’ associations. Topics will include enforcement mechanisms against substandard vehicle conversions and determining policies on the end-of-life of PSVs.
It has been decided by the 27th meeting of the National Standards Committee (NSC) on Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) convened on May 2, 2025, to address crucial regulatory updates and safety standards concerning passenger buses.
The meeting was held under the aegis of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), with participation from key stakeholders including the Engineering Development Board (EDB), Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), Master Motor, Yutong Motor Ltd., NH&MP, and various federal and provincial bodies.
Meeting Agenda included: Review of previous meeting minutes regarding the inclusion of Pakistan Standards for PSVs in the mandatory list of PSQCA. Addressing concerns raised by PAMA and stakeholders regarding outdated standards, particularly UNR-36 and UNR-52.
Engr. Asim Ayaz (EDB) emphasized the need to align with international safety norms, noting, “China is harmonizing its standards with the UN’s WP.29 framework. EDB, in consultation with PAMA, is evaluating the integration of other WP.29 UN Regulations into the national automotive policy for the next five years.”
He stated that 17 UN Regulations (UNRs) have already been adopted for Cars, SUVs, and Buses, with mandatory implementation verified through third-party or OEM compliance certification. Notable progress includes the installation of airbags in vehicles like the Suzuki Mehran, which previously lacked this safety feature.
Engr. Waqar Hassan raised concerns regarding roadside body fabricators who convert old chassis into buses without adhering to standardized safety measures.
In response, Brig (R) Tariq Javed highlighted that fitness certification for such vehicles is the responsibility of provincial transport authorities and suggested inviting their representatives to future meetings for policy alignment.
Raza Ansari, COO of MMCL, expressed industry support for a unified national bus standard. “The standards must apply equally across all local manufacturing and import operations.”
Key Outcomes and Resolutions
• The dispute between PSQCA and PAMA over forming a dedicated technical committee remains unresolved. Both parties were urged to collaborate on a unified national framework to reduce regulatory inconsistencies.
• A working group will be established to assess relevant UNRs—especially UNR-107—and compare them with equivalent Chinese GB national standards for potential adoption.
• Revisions were made to the list of mandatory UNRs for regulatory enforcement. Now only PS UNR 107:2024 and PS UNR 13:2024 will be enforced by PSQCA.
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