ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will announce its new electric vehicles policy by the end of November, Industries and Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Wednesday, as Islamabad eyes eco-friendly transportation to cut down on costly fuel imports and pollution.
Pakistan’s urban areas exhibit some of the world’s highest levels of air pollution, primarily due to sub-2.5 μm particulate emissions. This issue significantly impairs both the country’s economy as it imports most of its energy needs, and the quality of life of its residents. Road transport is a significant contributor to air pollution as around 23 percent of Pakistan’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from vehicles.
Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal that electric vehicles would comprise 30 percent of all passenger vehicles and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030. It has set an even more ambitious target of electric vehicles comprising 90 percent of all vehicle sales by 2040.
“He [Hussain] said the government would launch the second electric vehicle policy by November 30 to promote eco-friendly transportation,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
The minister was speaking to reporters in Islamabad while attending an exhibition of electric bike models. He highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had allocated around $14.29 million (Rs4 billion) to support his vision of introducing electric vehicles in the country to reduce fuel dependency and decrease carbon emissions.
Hussain said electric three-wheelers manufactured in Pakistan were also being exported to other countries, adding that the government was willing to provide subsidies on electric two-wheelers. The minister also announced the government’s initiative to distribute 100 e-bikes free of cost among high-achieving students.
Hussain said the government planned to transform the transportation landscape by setting up 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030.
“This shift toward eco-friendly transportation is expected to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s environment and economy,” he said. “With the government’s support and private sector investment, the country is poised for a greener future.”
In August, Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced its entry into the country, saying that up to 50 percent of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets.
Investment company ADM Group also announced in August it would invest up to $250 million for the manufacturing of electric vehicles in Pakistan in a move that will boost technological advancements in the country’s automobile industry and curtail pollution.
Pakistan to unveil new electric vehicle policy by November end — minister
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Pakistan to unveil new electric vehicle policy by November end — minister
- Islamabad has increasingly eyed promoting electric vehicles to cut pollution, high energy bill
- Government to set up 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030, says industries minister
Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani army chief in Riyadh
- Both reviewed Saudi-Pakistani relations and opportunities to develop them
- Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, other officials attended meeting
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir in Riyadh on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the reception, Saudi-Pakistani relations and opportunities to develop them were reviewed. A number of issues of common interest were also discussed.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman and other officials.
Pakistan PM visits China embassy to condemn attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi
- Security guard shot and injured four Chinese nationals at Karachi textile mill on Tuesday
- Shehbaz Sharif vows culprit will be punished, says security of Chinese nationals top priority
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday to condemn an attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi a day earlier, vowing to bring the perpetrator of the crime to book.
Pakistan police have filed terrorism charges against a security guard for firing at four Chinese nationals on Tuesday morning at a textile mill in Karachi. The Chinese nationals were at the mill to install new machinery when the guard opened fire at them “for unknown reasons” before fleeing, police said.
All four were rushed to the hospital, with two seriously injured in the attack. Sharif visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday, where he met the country’s envoy Jiang Zaidong to condemn the incident.
“I have come here to meet you to condemn this attack on Chinese nationals and to inquire after the injured,” Sharif told Zaidong according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The prime minister assured the Chinese ambassador that the culprit would be arrested soon and handed an exemplary punishment.
“I am personally monitoring the process of arresting the people involved in the incident and bringing them to justice,” Sharif said.
The Pakistani premier said he had issued instructions for the injured Chinese nationals to be provided the best possible medical care, describing China as a longstanding friend of Pakistan.
“The attack on Chinese citizens is a blatant attempt to damage the brotherly relations between Pakistan and China,” Sharif said.
He said that the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan is the government’s top priority. The Chinese ambassador thanked Sharif for his visit and hoped the premier would play his role in ensuring the culprit is punished, the PMO said.
Sharif was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his aide Tariq Fatemi.
ATTACKS ON CHINESE NATIONALS
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in attacks on Chinese nationals in recent months by separatist outfits based in its southwestern Balochistan province.
China, breaking with tradition, recently spoke out publicly against security threats to its workers and nationals in Pakistan, where hundreds work on Beijing-funded projects linked to the over $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Last month, two Chinese nationals were killed in a suicide bombing near the international airport in Karachi. In March this year, a suicide bombing killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver in northwestern Pakistan as they headed to the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower project in the country.
In 2022, three Chinese educators and their Pakistani driver were killed when an explosion tore through a van at the University of Karachi. A bus blast in northern Pakistan in 2021 killed 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals.
Pakistan announced in a joint statement with China last month it had agreed to increase security for Chinese citizens and projects in the South Asian nation, as Beijing called for urgent security measures following a surge in militant threats.
Pakistani, Indian cricketers could play as teammates in a revived Afro-Asia Cup
- Africa Cricket Association says both ACA and Asian Cricket Council want tournament’s revival
- Pakistani and Indian cricketers in 2005 and 2007 played under Asia XI squad as teammates
ISLAMABAD: In what would be a rare sight, prominent Pakistani and Indian cricketers could play for the same Asia XI squad, with efforts underway to revive the Afro-Asia Cup after almost two decades, the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) said recently.
The Afro-Asia Cup is a series of 50-over white-ball matches that have been played in the past between Asian XI and African XI teams. The tournament was only played twice, in 2005 in South Africa and in 2007 in India. A third edition scheduled for 2009 in Kenya never took place.
Political tensions between India and Pakistan mean that the two countries have played only one white-ball bilateral series since 2012-13. The two countries only play against each other at neutral venues and at International Cricket Council (ICC) events. Pakistan traveled to India last year for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup but India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
The Africa Cricket Association (ACA) held its annual general meeting on Saturday during which it decided to reach out to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and explore cross-continental opportunities such as the Afro-Asia Cup.
“The Afro-Asia Cup, apart from the cricket, brings the much-needed financial input to the organization, and the appetite is huge from both ends,” Tavengwa Mukuhlani, interim chair of the ACA, who is also the Zimbabwe Cricket chair, said at a press conference on Saturday.
“We have had conversations with our counterparts within the Asia Cricket Council, and obviously our African contingents, they want the Afro-Asia Cup to be revived.”
Cricket website ESPNcricinfo reported on Tuesday that no formal request has been made to the ACC, neither did any discussion around reviving the Afro-Asia Cup took place at the body’s recent meeting in Malaysia.
In 2005, the Asia XI squad was captained by Pakistani batting icon Inzamam-ul-Haq and included Indian legends Rahul Dravid, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumble.
The 2007 Asia squad comprised Indian cricketers M.S. Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, HarbHajjan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistani cricketers Mohammed Asif, Mohammed Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar.
IMF mission chief to visit Pakistan next week to discuss $7 billion loan ‘performance’
- Nathan Porter to visit Pakistan from Nov. 11-15, says official with knowledge of development
- International lender approved 37-month, $7 billion loan program for Pakistan in September
ISLAMABAD: International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Pakistan Mission Chief Nathan Porter will travel to the South Asian country from Nov. 11-15 to discuss Islamabad’s performance regarding the $7 billion bailout program approved in September, an official with direct knowledge of the development said on Wednesday.
In July, the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies with Pakistan for a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of about $7 billion. In September, the Fund’s executive board approved the 25th loan program that Pakistan has obtained since 1958.
Islamabad was able to secure the loan, critical to keeping its $350 billion fragile economy afloat, after taking painful measures such as hiking fuel and food prices, and implementing reforms to broaden the country’s tax base and privatize state-owned entities.
“IMF staff, led by Mr. Nathan Porter, will travel to Pakistan between November 11-15 for a staff visit to discuss recent developments and program performance to date,” the official said.
“This mission is not part of the first review under the EFF, which will be no earlier than the first quarter of 2025.”
Since it secured the bailout package, Pakistan’s government has said it has been able to increase its foreign exchange reserves and moved toward economic stability.
The country’s stock market has also seen a bullish trend in recent weeks that the government and analysts have attributed to Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic conditions, among other factors.
Inflation in the South Asian country has dropped from a record 38% in May 2023 to 7.2% in October 2024, which the government says dropped due to its prudent fiscal policies.
Pakistani teen captivates social media with intricate leaf art
- Kamran Khan, 19, specializes in making intricate designs, patterns and portraits on dried leaves
- Artist says social media has played “huge role” in expanding his outreach, he also takes orders online
PESHAWAR: A young Pakistani artist based in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has captivated social media with his unusual canvas: plant leaves.
From a small corner in Peshawar city’s bustling Storytellers’ Market, popularly known as Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Kamran Khan carves intricate portraits on delicate leaves, blending tradition with artistry and earning a growing online fan base.
Originally from Bajaur in Pakistan’s tribal belt, the 19-year-old artist moved to Peshawar for his education and livelihood and is now a third-semester political science student at the city’s historic Islamia College. While he has to balance his studies and a small family business he helps run, he also finds moments in between to pursue his passion.
“I have been doing art and drawing since childhood, but then I thought of taking it in a new direction to make it more unique,” he told Arab News in an interview this week. “I started practicing leaf art. I watched a video from where I decided to adopt the idea since it felt different.”
Khan specializes in leaf carving, carefully etching designs and images into the surface of leaves, often using blades to create detailed scenes and portraits. The process requires a firm hand, patience and precision to avoid damaging the delicate structure of the leaf. He also uses a special kind of leaf that is dried for two days before it is ready to be used.
The artist has made hundreds of portraits and designs, including images of politicians, artists, tribal elders, celebrities and world leaders.
Carving the logo of Arab News, he said, “I have sketched many leaders. I made the sketch of [Saudi Crown Prince] Mohammed bin Salman and uploaded its video on TikTok.”
Social media had played a “huge role” in expanding his outreach, Khan said.
“I take orders [to create art] using social media platforms, from TikTok, Instagram and Facebook,” he said. “International orders also come in, often requesting videos only. Orders are also placed for leaf art in physical frames, and we can adjust to both.”
Khan’s dedication was rewarded when a piece featuring Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a Pakistani politician who became the chief minister of Punjab after the last general elections, caught her attention.
“I made a video of Maryam Nawaz’s sketch, and then she picked up my [work] from the social media platform and invited me over,” he added. “When we reached the CM House in Lahore to meet her, she appreciated [my work] and gave me a cash prize.”
Sharing his future plans, he said that he wanted to represent Pakistan on the world stage.
“I strive to promote our province and culture through this art,” he said, “and would love to represent my country Pakistan as well.”
