ISLAMABAD: A leading Chinese automotive company signed an agreement with a Pakistani firm this week to introduce advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology in Pakistan and scale up domestic production, state media reported on Tuesday.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on February 22 in Beijing between Shanghai Launch Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. (LAUNCH) and Yousuf Dewan Companies (YDC), a pioneer in EV assembly in Pakistan.
The deal is part of broader cooperation between Pakistan and China in technology and industrial development, following recent efforts to enhance investment and collaboration in the automotive sector.
YDC, which has been active in Pakistan’s automobile industry, will work with LAUNCH, a Chinese firm specializing in EV technology, to develop vehicles for Pakistan using LAUNCH’s expertise in design and innovation.
The agreement also includes setting up a completely knocked-down (CKD) assembly operation for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), producing both right-hand drive and left-hand drive models for domestic sales and exports.
“This agreement marks a significant step toward bringing advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology to Pakistan and promoting sustainable mobility solutions in the region,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.
“The cooperation includes the creation of a technology partnership focused on EV innovation, battery life cycle management and recycling solutions, as well as exploring a joint venture for manufacturing and scaling BEV production in Pakistan,” it added.
The partnership is expected to drive EV adoption in Pakistan and contribute to the country’s sustainable energy and mobility goals, aligning with broader government efforts to promote clean transportation.
Pakistani, Chinese firms sign deal to boost electric vehicle production
https://arab.news/nqy95
Pakistani, Chinese firms sign deal to boost electric vehicle production
- The Pakistani firm will develop vehicles with the help of Chinese expertise for domestic sales and exports
- Agreement will help bring advanced electric vehicle technology to Pakistan, provide sustainable mobility
Pakistan’s president defends ongoing strikes in Afghanistan, urges Kabul to dismantle militants
- Afghanistan on Thursday launched attacks in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes the previous Sunday
- Pakistan’s military says it is only targeting Afghan military installations to avoid civilian casualties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s president on Monday defended his country’s ongoing military strikes in neighboring Afghanistan, saying Islamabad tried all forms of diplomacy before targeting militants operating from Afghan territory, and called on the Taliban government in Kabul to disarm groups responsible for attacks in Pakistan.
Pakistan earlier said it is in “open war” with Afghanistan, alarming the international community. The border area remains a stronghold for militant organizations including Al-Qaeda and the Daesh (Islamic State) group.
“(The Afghan Taliban) must choose to dismantle the terror groups that survive on conflict and its war economy,” Asif Ali Zardari said during a speech to lawmakers, adding that “no state accepts serial attacks on its soil.”
Afghanistan on Thursday launched attacks in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes the previous Sunday. Since then, Pakistan has carried out operations along the border, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claiming the killing of 435 Afghan forces and the capture of 31 Afghan positions.
Kabul has denied such claims.
In Afghanistan, the deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said Pakistan’s military fired mortar shells at a refugee camp in eastern Kunar province, killing three children and injuring three others.
Afghanistan’s defense ministry said Afghan forces carried out strikes targeting a Pakistani military facility near Paktia province, causing “substantial losses and heavy casualties.”
Pakistan’s military did not respond to questions. It has said Pakistan is only targeting Afghan military installations to avoid civilian casualties.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge of violence in recent months and blames it on the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. It operates both inside Pakistan and from Afghan territory.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of providing safe havens for the TTP, which Kabul denies.
The latest cross-border fighting ended a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkiye in October. The two sides failed to reach a permanent agreement during talks in Istanbul.
Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s call for talks, saying, “We have never walked away from dialogue.”
The Pakistani leader again accused Afghanistan of acting as a proxy for India by sheltering militant groups.
“Stop being used by another country as a battlefield for their ambitions,” he said.
Zardari cited a recent report from the United Nations Security Council’s monitoring team that described the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan as an extra-regional threat.
