Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially introduced Pakistan's New Energy Vehicle Policy for the years 2025 to 2030, marking a strategic push towards sustainable and economically efficient transportation systems.
The policy sets out a roadmap to significantly reduce carbon emissions, conserve national resources by cutting down on fuel imports, stimulate innovation, and create opportunities for the country’s youth to lead Pakistan into a greener future.
While speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister highlighted that Pakistan, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, remains among the nations most severely affected by climate change.
He pointed to the rising frequency and severity of natural calamities such as flash floods, cloudbursts, and glacial lake outburst floods, noting the increasing loss of lives and property these disasters bring each year.
Emphasizing the global scale of the crisis, he asserted that no single nation can resolve the climate challenge alone.
He urged developed countries—especially those in the West—to step up their support for vulnerable nations like Pakistan, both by easing the aftermath of climate disasters and helping build infrastructure resilient to environmental shocks.
The event also featured remarks from Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, who said the policy embodies the prime minister's vision of empowering young people and fostering clean, efficient mobility.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, described the electric vehicle policy as a foundational step in Pakistan’s journey toward a clean transportation revolution.
He noted that the country is now progressing beyond just assembling electric vehicles, moving into domestic production of batteries, charging systems, and advanced vehicle components.
Haroon Akhtar Khan also pointed out that Pakistan currently spends a significant portion of its foreign exchange reserves on importing petroleum. Additionally, he said urban air pollution leads to productivity and health-related economic losses amounting to over 105 billion rupees annually.
Meanwhile, the nation has an electricity surplus of 126 terawatt-hours that remains largely unused.
Haroon emphasized the cost-efficiency of electric motorcycles, stating they now cost less than a third per kilometer compared to petrol-powered bikes.
With the introduction of supportive measures such as easier financing, toll waivers, and free registration, he expressed confidence that electric transportation would soon be within reach for students, delivery workers, transport operators, and businesses alike.
As a symbolic gesture to promote the policy’s objectives, PM Shehbaz also handed over complimentary electric bikes to high-achieving students at the event, underscoring the government’s commitment to both educational excellence and green mobility.