ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s planning minister has invited China to collaborate with Islamabad in setting up industrial zones to manufacture electric cars amid a renewed push to attract foreign investment, state news agency APP reported on Wednesday.
The government of Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal of electric vehicles comprising 30 percent of all passenger vehicle and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030, and an even more ambitious target of 90 percent by 2040. For two- and three-wheelers, as well as buses, the policy set a goal of achieving 50 percent of new sales by 2030 and 90 percent by 2040.
In a meeting with Chinese officials on Tuesday, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal invited them to collaborate on the production of electric cars.
“He emphasized Pakistan’s aim to establish industrial zones for the manufacturing of electric cars in collaboration with China, leveraging Pakistan’s competitive advantage to reduce overall production costs and create employment opportunities for Pakistani workers,” APP reported.
Earlier this year, Sazgar Engineering, one of Pakistan’s leading car manufacturers, unveiled the electric vehicle “ORA 3,” manufactured in collaboration with Chinese car manufacturer Great Wall Motors (GWM).
The urban areas of Pakistan exhibit some of the world’s highest levels of air pollution, primarily due to sub-2.5 μm particulate emissions. This issue significantly impairs both the country’s economy and the quality of life of its residents. Road transport is a significant contributor to air pollution as around 23 percent of Pakistan’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from vehicles.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met a delegation of Japanese industrialists in Islamabad and invited them to invest in Pakistan’s electric automotive industry.
“There is a wide potential for investment in the electric vehicle industry in Pakistan and Japanese companies with the best technology can take full advantage of it,” Sharif told the Japanese group.
Pakistan invites China to establish industrial zones for electric car manufacturing
https://arab.news/c7abz
Pakistan invites China to establish industrial zones for electric car manufacturing
- Earlier this year, Pakistani car maker Sazgar Engineering unveiled electric car made in collaboration with China
- Road transport is significant contributor to pollution as around 23 percent of Pakistan’s greenhouse gases come from vehicles
Thai Air station manager found dead at Karachi airport, inquiry underway
- Airport authorities say preliminary assessments point to a cardiac incident
- CCTV footage is being secured and police and medical teams informed
ISLAMABAD: A station manager for Thai Air was found dead at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan’s Airports Authority confirmed on Sunday, adding that preliminary indications pointed to a cardiac incident but an inquiry was still underway.
Local media reported a day earlier the body was found inside the Thai Air office at the airport terminal after the employee had not been seen for several hours. Initial medical assessments cited by local outlets suggested no immediate signs of foul play.
“A preliminary inquiry is underway,” Saifullah, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), who uses a single name, said in a statement.
“The Airport Security Force has been instructed to preserve nearby CCTV footage, while police and medical teams have been informed,” he added. “A detailed report will be submitted once the investigation is completed.”
Thai Air, the national carrier of Thailand, has long been used by Pakistani travelers flying to Bangkok and onward destinations in Southeast Asia, particularly for tourism and business travel.
Many Pakistani travelers also reach Thailand and other destinations in the region by first flying to Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, before catching connecting flights.
However, these routes typically add to travel time compared with direct or near-direct options.
