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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said the electric vehicle policy is part of government’s Clean and Green Initiative and the government on an eco-friendly roadmap to protect future generations from the negative effects of climate change and global warming.
He was addressing a ceremony in connection with the launch of Pakistan’s first environment-friendly electric bike in Islamabad. The prime minister said the government has given a new roadmap to protect future generations from global warming, encourage wealth creation and enhance tax collection.
“We will devise long-term policies on environmental protection to materialize the vision of a clean and green Pakistan, and pass on a liveable place to the coming generations,” the prime minister said.
Terming the manufacturing of electric bikes a futuristic and positive step, PM Khan said we have to manufacture electric buses and cars in order to address the issue of pollution in big cities where the pollution level has reached dangerous levels. He said the government is also executing Ten billion Tree Tsunami plantation project and preparing master plans for cities to deal with the issue.
With regards to wealth creation, the prime minister said it will be ensured that auto parts including that of motorcycles and other raw materials are locally manufactured. He said the local production of products will be ensured in order to bolster our exports to address the issue of balance of payment on a permanent basis. He assured to extend every possible assistance to strengthen the auto sector.
PM Imran Khan said the economy is on an upward trajectory and steps are being taken to ensure sustainable growth. He said a mineral map is also being prepared which will show how rich the country is rich in natural resources.
Alluding to the government’s austerity drive, Imran Khan said we have significantly reduced the expenditures of PM House and PM Secretariat over the last three years. He said our aim is to give confidence to the taxpayers that their money will be spent on their welfare.
In his remarks on the occasion, Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtiar said a new auto policy will be presented before the cabinet next month for approval. He said the policy will focus on local production of vehicles and make the auto industry export-oriented.
He said under the electric vehicle policy, three licenses have already been given whilst licenses for seventeen more manufacturers are in the line. He said the development of charging infrastructure will also be encouraged which will provide job opportunities to the youth. He said Pakistan has a good motorcycle manufacturing industry and it is eyeing its exports to Afghanistan, Central Asian States and Africa.
