Latest news with #MuhammadSaleemShaikh
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
'E-vehicle policy to ensure greener Pakistan'
The government has stepped up policy-level efforts to promote electric vehicles in the country, as it offers a wide array of benefits across environmental, economic, public health and industrial development sectors. This was stated by Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination on Sunday in the context of the federal government's New Electric Vehicle Policy (NEVP) launched on Friday. The policy aims to ensure a just and inclusive transition to cleaner mobility, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, stimulate local innovation and create new green jobs, he said. "The Government of Pakistan is stepping up efforts to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as a key part of the country's clean energy and climate resilience agenda. With the transport sector being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution, the shift towards EVs marks a significant move towards a sustainable, healthier, and economically viable," the official remarked. He further said that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC)) has already reaffirmed its commitment at various forums to promoting EVs in the country as a strategic priority in the country's transition toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future as part of global efforts to cut heat-trapping and climate-altering vehicular carbon emissions and achieve environmental and urban sustainability. Saleem Shaikh said, "Recognising the transport sector as among the key contributors to air pollution and climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions, the ministry would now actively support every possible effort for the implementation of the New Electric Vehicle Policy 2025-2030 to drive the country toward a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable mobility system. Director General of the ministry, Mohammad Asif Sahibzada, pointed out that the Ministry of Industries and Production, MoCC&EC and other key industrial and non-industrial stakeholders were working in close collaboration to implement the new policy. He further said that the policy would go a long way in bringing more and more e-vehicles onto the country's roads as it envisions 30 per cent of all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be electric - including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, and cars. "This transition is not only vital for addressing adverse impacts of transport sector-related carbon emissions that contribute to climate change but also crucial for ensuring a clean, efficient and inclusive transport future for all Pakistanis," said Asif Sahibzada. Talking about the environmental and public health benefits, Sahibzada highlighted that EVs emit zero tailpipe pollutants, significantly reducing urban smog and climate-warming emissions. This shift supports the country's commitments under the Paris Agreement and its national climate change targets, he added. "Cleaner air means fewer respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. With fewer emissions on the road, citizens — especially children and the elderly — will benefit from improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs," he remarked. He further said that electric vehicles undoubtedly offer long-term savings due to lower fuel and maintenance costs. They reduce Pakistan's dependency on imported fossil fuels, helping stabilise the economy and protect against global energy price shocks, he added. The ministry's Director for Urban Affairs and Urban Air Pollution Experts, Muhammad Azeem Khoso said that cleaner air means fewer respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Arab News
Pakistan's new electric vehicle policy targets 30% green cars by 2030
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has unveiled an ambitious New Electric Vehicle Policy (NEVP) 2025–2030 that targets 30% of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday. The policy, which covers cars, buses, motorcycles and rickshaws, aims to accelerate the country's shift toward sustainable transport, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and curb climate-warming emissions, the state-run APP news agency reported. Pakistan imports most of its energy needs and the country'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 and the quality of life of its residents. 'Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) is critical for a healthier, greener and economically stable future,' Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, a spokesperson for the Climate Change Ministry, told APP, contending that transport sector was a major contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Pakistan. With the NEVP now in effect, Pakistan, which has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which experts blame on climate change, joins a growing list of nations pushing for zero-emission mobility to combat climate change and urban pollution. Mohammad Asif Sahibzada, director-general of the Climate Change Ministry, highlighted that EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which will significantly reduce urban smog and help Pakistan meet its international commitments. 'This shift will also lower respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly benefiting children and the elderly,' he added. The policy aims to cut Pakistan's reliance on imported fossil fuels, shielding the economy from global oil price fluctuations. EVs are also expected to offer long-term savings for consumers through reduced fuel and maintenance costs. The government plans to incentivize EV adoption through tax breaks, subsidies, and infrastructure development, including nationwide charging stations. 'Electric vehicles are not just about transport; they are central to Pakistan's climate action strategy,' Muhammad Azeem Khoso, the ministry's director for urban affairs, was quoted as saying by the APP. 'This policy marks a decisive step toward a cleaner, more resilient future.'
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Climate official calls for bird-friendly cities
Pakistan joined the global community on Saturday in marking World Migratory Bird Day 2025, highlighting the urgent need to protect migratory bird species and their habitats amid increasing urban threats. Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, emphasised that safeguarding migratory birds is a shared national responsibility, calling on government bodies, civil society, and the public to take meaningful steps toward creating bird-friendly urban spaces. "Protecting migratory birds is not just about conserving wildlife. It's about safeguarding our environmental integrity, fulfilling international commitments, and ensuring a sustainable future," Shaikh said in a statement issued on Sunday. This year's WMBD theme, "Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities," underscores the importance of transforming urban and suburban environments into safe havens for migratory birds. Events and awareness campaigns were held nationwide to promote this message. Pakistan is a key stopover for migratory birds, with nearly 70 percent of the country's 668 bird species undertaking seasonal journeys. The country lies along the Central Asian Flyway, making it a vital route for millions of birds migrating between Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, migratory birds face mounting threats, including rapid urbanisation, light pollution, habitat degradation, and the spread of glass buildings, which often cause fatal collisions. "These factors are severely impacting bird populations," Shaikh noted. "Creating awareness and enforcing bird-friendly urban planning practices, such as bird-safe glass and wetland preservation, is crucial." Shaikh also pointed to Pakistan's international obligations, including its status as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
