BYD comes on board to ‘electrify’ Pakistan Super League’s 10th edition

This handout photo, released on April 9, 2025, shows officials signing a partnership agreement with the 10th edition of Pakistan’s PSL cricket league as an official mobility partner, according to a press release. (Handout/BYD Pakistan)
Short Url
Updated 09 April 2025
Follow

BYD comes on board to ‘electrify’ Pakistan Super League’s 10th edition

  • BYD Pakistan is partnering with 10th edition of Pakistan’s premier PSL cricket league as an official mobility partner
  • BYD Pakistan has partnered with Mega Motor Company to enter and expand the electric vehicle market in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: BYD Pakistan, the operations of the Chinese New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD, has joined hands with the 10th edition of Pakistan’s premier PSL cricket league as an official mobility partner, a press release said this week. 
This year’s season of PSL will take place across four cities in Pakistan from April 11 to May 18. 
“This electrifying partnership unites the nation’s most thrilling sporting event and the high-tech global NEV leader in the automotive industry — highlighting a shared commitment to innovation, excellence, and sustainability,” a joint press release said.
“As part of the sponsorship, BYD’s latest NEVs will be showcased during various matches across the country, offering cricket enthusiasts an opportunity to witness cutting-edge automotive technology.”
BYD Pakistan has partnered with Mega Motor Company (MMC), a subsidiary of Hub Power Company (HUBCO), to enter and expand the electric vehicle market in Pakistan.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the BYD and PSL agreement, Mega Motor Company’s GM Marketing, Syed Haider Mujtaba, said partnering with HBL PSL X gave the firm the opportunity to connect with millions of cricket fans while showcasing BYD’s new EVs. 
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to promoting sustainable mobility and eco-friendly transportation solutions in Pakistan,” he added. 
The Pakistan Super League, also known as HBL PSL for sponsorship reasons, is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Pakistan organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board. 
Founded by the PCB in 2015, the league features six city-based franchise teams. The current champions are Islamabad United.


Pakistan approves first national gemstones policy, targets $1 billion exports

Updated 7 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan approves first national gemstones policy, targets $1 billion exports

  • Government seeks to overhaul certification, mining, processing to curb smuggling and boost value-added exports
  • Move follows broader push to tap Pakistan’s vast mineral wealth and attract much-needed foreign investment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has granted in-principle approval to its first national policy framework for gemstones and precious stones, aiming to reform the sector, align it with international standards and lift annual exports to $1 billion within five years, the prime minister’s office said on Friday.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which reviewed reforms for the largely underdeveloped gemstones sector despite Pakistan holding significant reserves of emeralds, rubies, sapphires, peridot and topaz.

The move comes as Pakistan intensifies efforts to monetize its untapped mineral resources amid fiscal pressures and an IMF-backed reform program. Over the past two years, Islamabad has hosted international minerals conferences and signed cooperation agreements with countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia and China to improve governance, attract foreign investment and move up the value chain in mining and minerals processing.

Despite officials estimating Pakistan’s gemstone reserves at around $450 billion, formal exports remain negligible, at about $5.8 million annually, due to weak certification systems, limited domestic processing capacity, widespread smuggling and fragmented regulation across federal and provincial authorities.

“Sharif has granted in-principle approval to a national policy framework to reform Pakistan’s gemstones and precious stones sector and align it with international standards,” the PM’s office said in a statement. 

“The Ministry of Industries and Commerce, after identifying challenges during the preparation of the national policy framework, has developed a comprehensive set of priority policy measures which aim to achieve $1 billion in gemstone-related exports within five years through sectoral reforms.”

According to the statement, the policy framework includes geological mapping to accurately assess reserves, the establishment of internationally accredited laboratories and certification regimes and the creation of a dedicated authority to regulate and promote the sector. The government also plans to set up a National Warranty Office and at least two centers of excellence this year to support training, research and value-added processing.

The policy prioritizes private sector participation, particularly encouraging young entrepreneurs, and seeks to shift Pakistan away from exporting raw stones toward domestic cutting, polishing and branding. The statement said this approach could significantly increase export earnings while generating skilled jobs.

The prime minister also directed the ministry of finance to ensure timely allocation of financial resources required to implement the reforms and stressed the need to involve provincial governments, industry stakeholders and international experts to address structural bottlenecks.

“Pakistani precious stones are renowned globally for their quality, and curbing smuggling while ensuring exports through legal channels will secure billions of dollars in foreign exchange,” the prime minister said, according to the statement.