ISLAMABAD: In a significant move toward green mobility, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that federal government employees up to Grade 16 will be provided with electric motorcycles on easy, interest-free installments.
The Prime Minister issued these directives while chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review the National Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy and the promotion of eco-friendly transport in Pakistan.
A Vision for Energy Security and Environmental Protection
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz emphasized that the transition to electric vehicles is no longer a luxury but a national necessity.
“In light of the current regional situation and future energy needs, promoting electric vehicles is crucial. It will significantly reduce our multi-billion dollar fuel import bill while playing a key role in environmental protection,” the Prime Minister stated.
He further directed that transparency must be maintained in the distribution of subsidies for electric motorcycles, particularly for low-income groups, and ordered that the implementation of the scheme be fast-tracked.
Key Highlights of the EV Roadmap
The meeting was briefed on the progress of the EV transition, revealing ambitious targets for the next five years:
| Category | Progress & Goals |
| Manufacturing | 72 certificates issued for e-bikes/rickshaws; 4 for electric cars. |
| Infrastructure | 123 applications received for the setup of EV charging stations. |
| National Target | 30% of all vehicles to be electric within the next 5 years. |
| Economic Impact | Expected savings of approximately $4.5 billion in fuel costs. |
Integration of Eco-Smart Fleets
The Prime Minister highlighted that the shift is already underway in the public sector. On April 6, the Islamabad Capital Police inducted 15 battery-powered vehicles into its fleet. PM Shehbaz noted that these vehicles operate entirely without petrol or oil, directly easing the pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
High-Level Attendance
The meeting saw the participation of key federal ministers, including:
Musadik Malik (Climate Change)
Ahsan Iqbal (Planning & Development)
Muhammad Aurangzeb (Finance)
Attaullah Tarar (Information)
Awais Leghari (Energy)
Bilal Azhar Kayani (State Minister for Finance)
The provision of electric bikes to Grade 16 employees is part of the broader Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) vision, aimed at providing sustainable and affordable transport solutions to the workforce.