ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that encouraging the use of electric vehicles (EVs) will help save billions of dollars in valuable foreign exchange spent on fuel, support environmental protection efforts, and promote the local industry.
Chairing a meeting on encouraging usage of electric vehicles in the country, the prime minister directed to prepare a comprehensive government-level action plan to make electric vehicles accessible to the common citizen.
He announced that the federal government will provide electric bikes to top-performing students of all educational boards across the country including the federal board.
He further stated that unemployed individuals will be provided with electric rickshaws and loaders on priority, to support employment generation.
A briefing was given in the meeting regarding the current status of the industry in the country related to the manufacturing of electric vehicles and the government’s supportive measures to make them accessible to the common people. It was informed in the meeting that the government was taking steps to facilitate the acquisition of electric bikes, rickshaws, and loaders through low-cost loans and easy terms.
More than 100,000 electric bikes and over 300,000 and loaders will be made available to the public under easy loans and at low costs through government support.
The meeting was informed that under this scheme, students who perform well at the intermediate level in educational boards across the country, including the federal board, will be provided free electric bikes.
Civil service
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need to align the country’s civil service with modern technology and international standards of public service, and its revitalisation to enhance effectiveness.
The prime minister, chairing a meeting on civil service reforms, said that the civil service played a key role in the practical performance and effective implementation of the government’s policies across various ministries and sectors.
The comprehensive and effective reform of the civil service a government’s priority, he directed the inclusion of input from public representatives and those of government officials in administrative and institutional reforms of the civil service.
Agri graduates
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed his pleasure as the first batch of around 300 Pakistani agriculture graduates completed their hands-on practical training in China.
“Very heartening to know that the first batch of around 300 Pakistani agriculture graduates have successfully completed their hands-on practical training in Shaanxi Province, China,” the prime minister wrote on his X timeline.
Current account surplus
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday hailed the increase of current account surplus to $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2024-2025.
In a statement, he said current account surplus had reached the highest level in last 22 years which was a very positive development.
“Due to government measures, foreign exchange reserves have crossed $19 billion,” he added.