Islamabad, June 29, 2026: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination on Monday reviewed the Ministry’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2026-27 and Pakistan’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, directing the government to present a comprehensive roadmap for expanding EV charging infrastructure and implementing a battery recycling framework.
The committee met at Parliament House under the chairpersonship of Acting Chairperson Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, MNA. During the meeting, members stressed the importance of regular ministerial engagement and accountability before the committee, while the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination assured members of his continued availability for briefings.
The committee was briefed on the ministry’s PSDP for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The minister said the ministry was working within limited fiscal resources and had prioritised projects of national importance, including new initiatives on a botanical garden and air quality monitoring, with plans to explore private-sector participation.
He also highlighted completed projects, including the Pakistan Biosafety Clearing House, established to fulfil the country’s reporting obligations under the Cartagena Protocol and strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as water-quality initiatives that have made laboratories and testing facilities operational under the WASH programme.
The ministry informed members that recent regulatory decisions on genetically modified soybean and canola were aimed at supporting the poultry sector and would continue to be guided by scientific evidence, food security considerations and international standards, including those of the European Union.
Committee members also expressed concern over worsening water pollution and environmental degradation in the Islamabad Capital Territory, particularly untreated wastewater flowing into natural streams. Officials informed the committee that action was being taken against illegal discharges and that a sewage treatment plant at Korang Nullah was under development to reduce pollution entering Rawal Dam.
The meeting also reviewed climate financing, green taxonomy, international partnerships and the formulation of new National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which are expected to be finalised later this year with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank.
The Ministry of Industries and Production, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, presented a detailed briefing on Pakistan’s Electric Vehicle Policy, prepared by the Engineering Development Board in consultation with development partners, think tanks and universities.
The policy includes incentives for electric two- and three-wheelers, expansion of charging infrastructure, localisation of EV manufacturing and measures to reduce dependence on imported components.
Committee members sought detailed information on the availability of charging stations, affordability of electric vehicles, battery recycling mechanisms, incentives for manufacturers, local production of spare parts and the long-term sustainability of the transition to electric mobility.
Officials informed the committee that more than 100 EV charging stations had already been licensed and that all new petrol stations in Islamabad would be required to install EV charging facilities. They added that a comprehensive battery policy and recycling framework had been prepared and was awaiting approval.
The committee was also briefed on the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) programme and additional proposals under consideration, including facilitation schemes for government employees in grades BPS 1–16 and skills development initiatives to support the EV industry.
The committee recommended that the Ministry of Climate Change present a comprehensive briefing on Pakistan’s policy framework relating to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and biosafety. It also directed the ministry to provide complete details of all laboratories certified to conduct vehicle emissions testing and submit a detailed report on the demarcation and legal boundaries of the Margalla Hills National Park.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, Musarrat Asif Khawaja (via video link), Shaista Khan, Syeda Shehla Raza, Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, Rana Ansar, Tamkeen Akhter Niazi and Shahida Rehmani, along with senior officials from the relevant ministries, departments and the Capital Development Authority.
