ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet has withdrawn its decision of March 26, 2020 with respect to Electric Vehicle (EV) policy and decided that inter-ministerial committee constituted by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet should complete the task, sources in the Ministry of Industries and Production told Business Recorder.
The issue was raised by the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Climate Change, Malik Aslam, in the cabinet meeting held on March 31, 2020.
He pointed out that two separate committees had been constituted for the National Electric Vehicle policy, one by the Cabinet in its meeting held on March 25, 2020 and the other by the ECC in its meeting held on March 26, 2020.
The members felt that committee constituted by the ECC had wider representation and should be allowed to complete the mandated task. After discussion, the Cabinet decided that its decision of March 26, 2020 should be withdrawn, and the committee constituted be allowed to complete the task.
Meanwhile, the meeting was conducted in the chairmanship of the Adviser to Prime Minister for Commerce, Investment and Industries and Production.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology and Advisers to Prime Minister on Climate Change and Institutional Reforms and Austerity also attended the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and devise an Electric Vehicle Policy.
Chairing the meeting, Adviser to the prime minister advocated a fair and transparent policy, which is beneficial for consumers and investors alike.
He supported the idea that existing policies in the automobile sector have to be allowed to function as well because continuation of policy is important for building the confidence of investors.
Adviser on Industries and Production said that the policy was the need of the hour, particularly because of its impact on environment, but its success would depend on promoting local production and assembly, while ensuring the safety standards.
Dawood added that a comprehensive EV Policy would be designed in consultation with stakeholders, as a part of the government’s existing effort to attract investment in the auto sector of Pakistan.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN
