OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE - Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) has strongly condemned the formation of a sub-committee lead by the Ministry of Industries to recommend proposals for lowering the tariff on auto sector on behest of Chairman Planning Commission. Recommendations being forwarded by irrelevant quarters are shear deviation from the objectives of Auto Industry Development Program (AIDP) which ensures sustainability of local manufacturing, further indigenization, and integration into Global Supply Chain. These views were expressed by Syed Nabeel Hashmi, Vice Chairman PAAPAM in a hurriedly called meeting of Managing Committee to discuss the issue. He once again cautioned of sever reaction from Auto Industry against any move for reduction of tariffs in the name of rationalization, which have already been well defined in the AIDP program. Mr. Hashmi said that proposals from irrelevant areas on contentious issue of draw-down of tariffs, who do not understand the dynamics of the Engineering Industry does nothing but further hurts a stagnant manufacturing sector and cause a major revenue dent to cash starved economy. Time and again PAAPAM has stressed the need to allow industry grow in a planned and long term objective manner. Mr. Hashmi pointed out that the report being relied upon, itself suggests that it may contain factual errors and misinterpretation of various situations & rules, mere a text book approach lacking detailed analysis regarding internal dynamics of a very complex industrial sector, defined goal and built in protection mechanism and incentives available to competing countries. Mr Hashmi claimed that 47.5% CD does not act as a standard protection because most of the parts purchased by OEMs are at 70 to 90% of FOB available from competing LCCs. Further rules of normal economic do not apply to Vendors sales prospective. Protection is provided by countries like Japan, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, EU and China, he added. Mr. Hashmi lamented that recent moves by the Planning commission to implement a report that has been prepared in the rooms of the planning commission and lacks proper projection, without inputs of stack holders is a highly irresponsible act.