Islamabad, July 18, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced a multi-pronged strategy to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and reform the civil service structure, aiming to save billions in fuel imports, generate employment, strengthen local industry, and modernize governance.
Chairing a high-level meeting, the prime minister emphasized that the nationwide promotion of electric vehicles would drastically reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel, protect the environment, and stimulate domestic manufacturing.
“This initiative will not only save billions in foreign exchange but also lay the foundation for a self-reliant and green economy,” he said.
To make EVs accessible to all segments of society, the federal government will roll out a comprehensive action plan. Key features of the scheme include free electric bikes for top-performing intermediate-level students across all educational boards, including the Federal Board, electric rickshaws and loaders for unemployed individuals on a priority basis to spur economic self-sufficiency, low-cost loans and flexible terms for the purchase of more than 100,000 electric bikes and over 300,000 loaders and A 25% quota for women, with provincial quotas distributed based on population ratios. The prime minister also ordered to increase Balochistan’s quota to 10%.
He directed authorities to ensure high safety and quality standards for all EVs distributed under the scheme and ordered third-party validation of the distribution and government support mechanisms to uphold transparency.
Additionally, a public awareness campaign will be launched to educate citizens about the benefits and procedures of accessing EV assistance.
The meeting was informed that four new battery manufacturing companies are starting operations in Pakistan as a result of this initiative, expected to create fresh business and employment opportunities.
Senior federal ministers including Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, along with Chief Coordinator Mosharraf Zaidi, attended the meeting.
In a separate meeting on civil service reforms, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the need to align Pakistan’s bureaucratic system with modern technology and international standards of governance.
“A capable, modern civil service is essential for delivering effective policy implementation and public service,” the prime minister stated.
He stressed the importance of incorporating feedback from both public representatives and government officials in the reform process and reiterated that rejuvenating the civil service is a key government priority.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Prof. Ahsan Iqbal briefed the premier on proposed changes, noting that current systems of recruitment, promotion, training, and capacity building require urgent improvements.
The meeting was also attended by federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema and Ali Pervaiz Malik, among other senior officials.
