Cars are no longer affordable for the middle class
Economists question protectionist auto regime as prices continue to soar despite local assembly and import restrictions KARACHI: For Pakistan’s middle-income households, car ownership is becoming increasingly unattainable, not only because of inflation and currency devaluation, but because of a policy framework that has failed to balance consumer welfare, industrial growth and macroeconomic stability. As vehicle prices continue to rise while incomes stagnate, the debate has returned to whether Pakistan should carefully liberalize vehicle imports to revive competition and affordability, or stick with a heavy protectionist regime that risks shrinking the market without providing real industrial strength. Trade economist Aadil Nakhoda
