Ghee millers demand payment of Rs13b dues
Listen to article
Ghee millers have asked the government to clear the outstanding dues of Rs13 billion against the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).
Ghee millers and other industries had supplied their products to USC but they were denied payments.
The matter was taken up at a meeting between Prime Minister's Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan and the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) on Friday. PVMA Chairman Sheikh Umar Rehan, Ministry of Industries and Production Secretary Saif Anjum and representatives of the ghee industry were present in the meeting.
The discussion focused on the challenges being faced by the ghee manufacturing sector. Haroon Akhtar acknowledged the concerns raised by the industry and assured them of the government's support.
"We fully recognise the issues being encountered by the ghee sector and are committed to not putting the industry under any additional pressure," the PM aide said.
He declared that all outstanding dues would be paid promptly. While acknowledging that cash disbursements take time, he emphasised that efforts would be made to expedite the process. He also highlighted the government's recent efforts to support the low-income families, stating, "PM Shehbaz Sharif has successfully delivered the Ramazan package directly to the deserving households."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
SAPM highlights plan for zero transport emissions
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, Friday, while highlighting the government's plan to reach net zero transport emissions by 2060 has reaffirmed the government's commitment for sustainability, for innovation and industrial competitiveness. Addressing the dissemination workshop on New Energy Vehicle Policy 2025-30, he said: 'This policy aims to enable 30 percent of all new vehicles to be electric by 2030, and the ambition of reaching net zero transport emissions by 2060.' He said that for the skill development National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) also coordinating to train around 10,000 apprentices. The policy ensures that citizens are not just consumers, but beneficiaries. Buyers are protected through a new legal framework covering information transparency, currency risk sharing, and performance guarantees. This transition is projected to save 2.07 billion litres of fuel annually, amounting to nearly $1 billion in foreign exchange savings. Additionally, the policy is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 4.5 million tons and cut healthcare-related costs by $405 million per year. The government had already issued 61 licenses for manufacturing of motorbikes and three-wheelers while two licenses for the manufacturing of electric vehicles. Many international companies are interested in energy vehicle investment in the country. He emphasised that the policy is not just an environmental commitment but also an economic imperative. Moreover, the policy enables the productive use of 126 TWh of surplus electricity, which would otherwise go to waste. To encourage adoption, the government is offering consumer subsidies including: Rs65,000 for electric two-wheelers, Rs400,000 for electric three-wheelers and Rs15,000 per kilowatt-hour for electric four-wheelers besides supporting and funding installation of electric charging stations. Additionally, 40 fast-charging stations are expected to become operational on highways by the end of 2025, improving infrastructure for EV users. Akhtar also announced that provinces are being encouraged to offer free NEV registration to support nationwide adoption. He emphasised the policy's role in promoting industrial growth and local manufacturing, noting that 57 local manufacturing certificates have been issued and over 90 percent localisation has already been achieved in electric motorcycles and rickshaws. International players are showing growing interest in Pakistan's NEV sector, which Akhtar described as a positive signal for foreign investment and technology transfer. The policy is built on following five key pillars: (i) Subsidies for consumers; (ii) Tariff protections for local industry; (iii) Infrastructure development including charging stations;(iv) Quality and safety standards aligned with global benchmarks, and (v) Institutional support and regulatory frameworks. Haroon Akhtar concluded by reaffirming the government's commitment to a sustainable transport system that is equitable, forward-looking, and globally competitive. The country faced dual challenge of greenhouse gas emissions while energising its industrial base. Transport accounts for a significant share of our emissions, while our energy and manufacturing sectors remain underutilised in key value chains. The NEV policy brings these two realities together, not as a problem, but as a platform and a national opportunity. The NEV policy is a smart industrial strategy which not simply subsidise, it prioritises accountability, technological advancement, and market fairness which based on five main pillars. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt seeks input for NEV policy implementation
Listen to article The government has started seeking feedback on the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy 2025-30, which is a key step towards implementation of the draft policy termed not just an environmental commitment but also an economic imperative. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan addressed a dissemination and feedback workshop on Pakistan's NEV Policy 2025-30, where he highlighted it as a milestone in the country's journey towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable transport future. He stated that the NEV Policy was a vital component of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision to ensure that 30% of all new vehicle sales were electric by 2030. He emphasised that the policy was not just an environmental commitment but also an economic imperative. He noted that implementation of the NEV Policy could reduce up to 4.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, save $1 billion in annual oil imports and help avoid Rs405 billion in health-related costs. Moreover, the policy will enable productive use of 126 terawatt hours (TWh) of surplus electricity, which would otherwise go to waste. To encourage EV adoption, the government is offering consumer subsidies including Rs65,000 for electric two-wheelers, Rs400,000 for electric three-wheelers and Rs15,000 per kilowatt-hour for electric four-wheelers. Additionally, 40 fast charging stations are expected to become operational on highways by the end of 2025, improving infrastructure for EV users. Haroon Akhtar announced that provinces were being encouraged to offer free NEV registration to support nationwide adoption. He emphasised the policy's role in promoting industrial growth and local manufacturing, noting that 57 local manufacturing certificates had been issued and over 90% localisation for electric motorcycles and rickshaws had already been achieved. International players are showing growing interest in Pakistan's NEV sector, which Akhtar described as a positive signal for foreign investment and technology transfer.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
National Electric Vehicle Policy 2025–30 launched
ISLAMABAD: The government has officially launched the National Electric Vehicle (NEV) Policy 2025–30, aiming to reduce carbon emissions, cut fuel imports, and promote local manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs). Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan said the policy will not only strengthen Pakistan's economy but also protect the country from the harsh effects of climate change. He called the policy a historic step toward clean, affordable, and sustainable transportation. He said that over the next five years, the government will provide a total Rs100 billion subsidy to the electric vehicles. One of the major goals of the policy is to ensure that 30 percent of new vehicles by 2030 are electric. This shift is expected to save 2.07 billion litres of fuel annually, which translates to roughly $1 billion in foreign exchange. Additionally, it could reduce carbon emissions by 4.5 million tons and cut health-related expenses by $405 million each year. To promote adoption, the government has allocated Rs9 billion in subsidies for the fiscal year 2025–26. This funding will help deliver over 116,000 electric bikes and more than 3,000 electric rickshaws. Notably, 25 per cent of the subsidy is reserved for women to support affordable and eco-friendly mobility options for them. To further localise EV production, the government has offered tax breaks on EV parts and extended incentives under the AIDEP tariff facility until 2026. Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasised that this policy could save Pakistan up to Rs800 billion over the next five years and urged all stakeholders to join hands in making this clean transportation vision a reality. Khan stated that the new EV policy is aligned with the prime minister's vision of promoting clean, sustainable, and affordable transportation while encouraging local industry and protecting the environment. He emphasised that the transport sector is a major contributor to carbon emissions in Pakistan, and reform in this area is imperative. He said a fully digital platform has also been introduced to ensure transparent online application, verification, and disbursement of subsidies. Furthermore, the policy outlines the installation of 40 new EV charging stations on motorways, with an average distance of 105 kilometres between them. The policy also includes the introduction of battery swapping systems, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) schemes, and mandatory integration of EV charging points in new building codes to facilitate wider adoption in urban areas. To encourage local manufacturing, incentives are being provided to domestic producers. Currently, over 90 percent of parts for two- and three-wheelers are already manufactured locally. The government will also introduce special support packages for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to further boost localisation. The AIDEP tariff facility will continue until 2026 and be phased out gradually by 2030. The special assistant noted that the policy was developed through consultations with over 60 experts, institutions, and industry stakeholders, guided by a steering committee under the Ministry of Industries and Production since September 2024. The steering committee held monthly and quarterly review meetings, while the Auditor General of Pakistan will conduct a performance audit every six months. He stressed that the NEV Policy 2025–30 is not only an environmental revolution but also a foundation for industrial growth, local employment, energy efficiency, and technological self-reliance in Pakistan. He expressed hope that federal and provincial governments, the private sector, and citizens will work together to realise this vision of a clean, modern, and sustainable transport system. SAPM stated that the policy is a decisive move toward clean energy, sustainable transportation, and industrial development. It presents a comprehensive and results-driven strategy that aims to lead Pakistan toward a cleaner and more resilient future. He also highlighted that locally produced goods are 30–40 percent cheaper than imported alternatives. In the two-wheeler segment alone, more than 90 percent of parts are now produced locally. Given Pakistan's vulnerability to climate change, the EV policy will significantly contribute to achieving global carbon reduction targets. The policy is expected to yield savings of approximately Rs800 billion over the next five years through reduced fuel imports, the use of cheap electricity and revenue from carbon credits. Charging vehicles with electricity will also reduce capacity payments from Rs174 billion to Rs105 billion, and carbon credits could generate around Rs15 billion in revenue. The country's total energy demand for EVs over the next five years is projected at 126 terawatt-hours, which can be met using the existing surplus in the national grid. An electric rickshaw or bike user is expected to recover their initial investment within one year and 10 months due to the low cost of charging compared to petrol. For instance, if the additional cost of an electric bike is Rs150,000, this can be recouped within less than two years through fuel savings. He concluded by saying that the government has also provided exemptions on customs duties and sales tax on EV parts to support the local industry. 'This policy should be embraced wholeheartedly by Pakistan, as it is a game-changer for our economy, environment, and industrial landscape,' Akhtar affirmed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
