In a significant policy shift, Pakistan has officially authorized its overseas citizens residing in the UAE, GCC nations, and other countries to import used vehicles under revised regulatory frameworks. The federal cabinet has ratified a decision from the Economic Coordination Committee, dated December 9, 2025, which specifically permits the import of cars up to three years old. This provision is exclusively available through two channels: the Gift Scheme and the Transfer of Residence Scheme.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued clarifications, stating that eligibility is restricted to non-resident Pakistanis utilizing these specific schemes. A notable condition mandates that any imported vehicle cannot be sold or transferred to a new owner for a minimum period of one year after importation. Conversely, the government has explicitly excluded the Personal Baggage scheme from this new allowance, maintaining previous restrictions on that category.
This legislative amendment addresses long-standing requests from the vast Pakistani diaspora, which includes over 1.7 million individuals in the UAE and more than 5.5 million across GCC member states. The global community of overseas Pakistanis exceeds nine million. Many families seeking to repatriate after extended periods abroad have expressed a desire to bring personal assets, including vehicles, with them. The policy revision aims to facilitate their return while mitigating concerns among some officials about potential misuse of such import facilities, which had previously led to calls for the program’s discontinuation.