Why Pakistani Cars Still Lack Essential Safety Features
For decades, locally assembled cars have dominated Pakistani roads. Despite modern design upgrades and price increases, car safety in Pakistan is still a problem.
Popular models such as the Honda City, Toyota Corolla, Suzuki Alto, and Wagon R continue to lack essential features like airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, and crumple zones, which are considered key components standard globally.
This blog explores why these features are still missing from local automobiles and why safety should be a top priority for buyers and manufacturers alike.
What Basic Safety Features Should Local Cars in Pakistan Include?
Globally, even the most affordable cars come equipped with fundamental safety gear. But Pakistan’s automobile industry continues to overlook basic standards, putting lives at risk.
Here’s what every locally manufactured vehicle should include:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Prevents wheel lock during sudden braking. Highly vital for hilly or uneven roads.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Helps maintain control during sudden turns or lane changes.
- Traction Control: Reduces skidding or fishtailing on slippery or uneven roads.
- Crash-Resistant Structure and Crumple Zones: Absorbs crash forces, reducing injury risk.
- Rear Seatbelts with Proper Anchorage: Still missing in many local models, even when it’s crucial in accidents.
- ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts: Ensure child seats are safely secured and attached to the car frame.
Why Are Safety Features Still Missing in Local Cars?
1. Weak and Delayed Safety Regulations
Pakistani authorities historically delayed mandating global safety standards. Economic constraints, weak frameworks, and low consumer demand keep outdated platforms in place.
Read our blog on the absence of governing bodies to understand this issue better.
2. Conflict Between PSQCA and EDB
A long-standing power struggle between the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the Engineering Development Board (EDB) delayed enforcement. With EDB now officially in charge, implementation is expected to improve.
3. Dominance of the ‘Big Three’
Suzuki, Toyota, and Honda dominated for years with limited competition. Lack of consumer choice led to stagnation in safety improvements.
4. Consumer Mindset and Affordability
Most buyers prioritize fuel economy and price over safety, allowing automakers to skip key features under the guise of cost savings.
5. No Local Crash Testing or NCAP System
Pakistan lacks a crash-testing facility or NCAP ratings. Without visible safety scores, there’s little pressure on manufacturers.
Case Study: Honda City and Toyota Corolla
Honda City
Historically, local variants lacked:
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Traction Control
- Side airbags
- Crash-resistant structure
2025 variants offer:
- Standard dual SRS front airbags
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- ISOFIX in certain trims
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure
Still missing in 2025 models: ESC and multiple airbags.
Toyota Corolla
Earlier models lacked:
- ESC
- Side impact airbags
- Advanced driver aids
2025 variants (Altis and X) offer:
- Standard dual SRS airbags
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
- Traction Control (TRC)
- ISOFIX child seat anchors
- ABS with EBD
- Collision Safety Body (GOA)
Key Insight:
It has been observed that the safety level depends on the variant and lacks an international benchmark. The upgrades only occur when there is public demand and pressure from competitors.
Learn more about Honda and Corolla car models among the Best Family Sedans in Pakistan 2025.
Government Efforts: Is the Trend Changing?
There are 200 UN-based vehicle safety regulations globally under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) WP-29 system.
Pakistan followed only a fraction of these for years (17 regulations). But things are improving:
- 17 regulations initially adopted
- Now added 57 more standards. Making it a total of 62 safety standards.
- Deadline: June 30, 2026, for full local compliance
- Imported vehicles already follow stricter standards
- Type Approval System introduced for new models
- Foreign lab testing allowed until Pakistan builds its own crash facility
Final Verdict
With rising road accident rates, car safety in Pakistan should be non-negotiable. Local automakers must stop citing low consumer demand and instead offer globally aligned, life-saving features.
The government’s renewed enforcement strategy is promising, but buyers must also play their part by demanding safer vehicles.
As PakWheels auto expert argues in his PakWheels commentary, the government must take serious steps to enforce vehicle safety standards nationwide, as they are a life-saving necessity, not a luxury.
