Miscellaneous Cars in Pakistan

You won't believe how many Lexus' and Porsches are stuck in the Pakistani customs. People bring them over and when they hear 70.00.000 RS in taxes for a 5 year old Porsche 911, they leave them there and start searching for buyers who can handle the tax system. People know I'm a huge car nut and I get offers every time I'm there. Last was last generation UK plated Boxster for 20.000 USD and 996 Carrera 4 S for 25.000 USD... Dusted down and with RUST!?? Standing out under the open sky with heavy dust and pouring rain for some months, damn, those beautiful cars... But couldn't get used to sitting on the right side, felt too strange - even with both of them having "tiptronic" or what their automatics are called these days...
The car scene has picked up the last few years. I'm wondering why, actually?

 

I am speaking not from my personal experience, but from what I hear from Relatives in Pakistan.

1 - A lot of the cars are smuggled into the country. Basically, the drive the cars from UK (yes, drive) or ship the vehicle. At the port they tell the customs agent they will only use the car while they are visiting (so no tax). Then they bribe a Tax official to allow them to register the car after 2-3 months.

2 - Wealthy businessmen, typically pay a customs office they have know for some time, and a local tax guy. The customs official lets them pay a small tax and say it's "OK" to import. Then the Tax assessor values the car at say $5,000, he pockets the money, and lets the owner register the car.

3 - Knowing someone in the military helps. Sometime they say the vehicle is being imported by a Major in the army (Thus tax free). The customs official clears the vehicle. the Major then sells the car back to the actual owner for a small "$$$" fee.

These are just some of the "Rumors" I have head about how people have been importing nice cars into Pakistan.

Thanks,
UZY

 

Sure, but actually coming through with these shortcuts is very difficult. Otherwise there would be no luxury cars stuck in those enormous storages.
Kid brother said he saw a Ferrari in Lahore.. Where the h*** are they supposed to get serviced? Yet to see a high end workshop there (I'm assuming Porsche dealers got the elite people, but no other?).

High end workshop + LHD sportscar = I'm in trying to get around taxes


I think a Evo would've been perrrrrrfect. I do see a tendency of pakistani living outside Pakistan, wanting to get sports cars there.



Petrol heads, unite - indeed

 

Now comes the big question .... How and where do these prople get their car serviced??

Where do you get hoses for the engine on the Escalade, Corvette, etc.
Where do you get power window motors if the window does not work?
How do you get the OBD-II engine codes??
How are they able to obtain spare parts?

Thanks,
UZY

 

Same questions here too.
I always imagined a Hummer H2 stuck middle of nowhere in Pakistan and these Corolla/Civic pro gets a call to check it out and doesn't understand sh**.

Guess you always have ebay and tons of forums for each car type with skilled and helpfull people?


Theres a indian mate here who has a F430 too, he said he had to fly in mechanics for the services...

What do you think would be a great sports car for Pakistan, Uzy?

 

I knew Porsche would come as an answer, their cars fit most envoirments (spelling mistake?)... Up here in the cold, cold north people love 911 C4's or Turbos...

Considering the road construction standard, I still think a Evo (if it ever can be serviced there) would be most fun... Trash it around and pretend the holes are there on the ground...!

A 996/997 Turbo would be killer, though.


But again, those roads, I could never justify a sports car over there unless I moved there.

 

Just curious, what's the worst those traffic cops can do?


I know they carry a gun each, haha, but does heavy speeding qualify a stay in prison or just a juicy ticket?

 

Well ...in Pakistan, most of the police officers are not well paid, and do take "Cash Tips" (aka Bribes).

I remember one time my cousin was pulled over when he was only 19 and he did not have drivers license.

He gave the officer $500 rupees (their currency), but the offcer asked for $1000 cash.
(Office said $500 for speeding, and $500 for not having license).
He took the cash, and let us be on our way.

I have seen my uncles pay cops in front of me for speeding tickets.

That's just the way life is over there.

Very dangerous.... if you have money you can get away with just about anything.

Thanks,
UZY

 

WOW!!!...after looking at those cars, I am wondering how these people were able to get these cars into the country.
They must have lot of connections at the port or in the government.

So sad...the disparity between the rich and the poor in that country.

Thanks,
UZY

 

Salman,

Are you in Pakistan right now?
I was just courious since you posted all those picutres.

I was planning a visit later in the year, and wanted to know if you will be my tour guide since you know where all the cool spots are? : )


Thanks,
UZY

 

Hey salman. Thanks for sharing all these pics!

 

I wonder if a CNG-conversion/add'on would be a viable option for a late-model Ferrari...

The red Viper SRT10 (I believe?) might be a former-classmate/friend of my cousin while he was in KHI. I believe the 'kid'/guy who owns is from the Bukhti family. He's actually a nice individual, from what I recall.

I'd assume the most kosher way to acquire a high-end import vehicle would be through a foreign consulate/embassy official/employee or perhaps even a long-time foreign consultant/contractor, as they are permitted personal-use vehicles. However, such a connection/opportunity would seem to be far from adequate to quench the overall demand for such highly sought-after vehicles.

Another thing is that driving such a visible and high-profile vehicle would draw so much attention and notoriety. Lawlessness and organized crime hone in and target such viable targets. Just food-for-thought. . .