It seems that the local auto industry just cannot digest the fact that the Pakistani customers are finally getting some choice in buying the car they want to with their hard-earned money.

As per PAAPAM's appeal, the cars being imported are 'defective and worn out'. Are they actually implying that their 'brand new' cars with Euro-II certifications are losing ground to 'defective' vehicles? Why don't they do introspection? Are they not aware of why the Pakistani customer is leaning towards imports? Can we, the customers, assume that the local auto industry does not care about what its customers want?

The customers are not being forced to buy these vehicles. The same cannot be said about the 'choice' offered by the local industry.

Furthermore, it claims that the local industry is a source of employment generation, government revenues and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.

Do these factors help someone when they get into an accident in a locally assembled car with no airbags? Instead of whining to the Government, the local auto industry should either shape up or ship out.

Maybe they can get their customers back if they listen to what the customers want for once. You demand an immediate ban on imports of used cars without even trying to know what the public wants. This just reeks of selfishness.

MUHID ZAKARIA                     Karachi