Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says Pakistan’s new auto policy will encourage electric vehicles, reduce petroleum imports and improve facilities for middle-class consumers.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has outlined the key objectives of Pakistan’s new auto policy, saying it aims to promote electric vehicles, reduce environmental pollution and provide better facilities for middle-class consumers.
Speaking at a news conference, Tarar said the new auto policy had been eagerly awaited. He noted that despite higher import duties on vehicles over several decades, locally manufactured cars had continued to lack modern features and facilities.
The minister said the local automobile industry had failed to provide consumers with better-quality vehicles despite receiving various incentives and facilities.
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the government to introduce measures that would make the automobile industry more accessible to the middle class.
Tarar said the new policy was designed to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), which could help reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental conditions. He also highlighted its potential to decrease Pakistan’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
According to the information minister, the policy offers benefits in three major areas: environmental protection, reduction in the import bill and economic improvement.
He said electric vehicles would help lower carbon emissions into the atmosphere, while reduced reliance on imported petroleum could provide relief to the country’s import bill.
The minister also highlighted incentives for developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. He said customs duty had been exempted on the installation of charging stations, while sales tax had also been reduced.
Tarar said the new policy placed considerable emphasis on encouraging electric vehicles and supporting the development of the infrastructure required for their use.
However, he clarified that no changes had been made to petrol-powered vehicles with engine capacities of up to 1,000cc under the new policy.
The government’s stated approach focuses on promoting cleaner transportation while addressing longstanding concerns about the quality of locally manufactured vehicles and affordability for consumers.
The policy’s implementation and its impact on vehicle prices, consumer choices, local manufacturing and petroleum imports will be important factors in determining its overall effectiveness.
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