ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production met here on Friday with Khalida Ateeb in the chair.
The Committee received a detailed briefing from the Ministry of Industries and Production on the National Electric Vehicle (NEV) Policy. The Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, informed the Committee that the policy will remain in force for five years. He further stated that, since 1990, the Ministry’s policies have consistently been formulated with a five-year implementation period to ensure continuity and policy stability.
Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan expressed concern over policy inconsistency, observing that businesses often face changes in taxation and regulatory regimes after making investments. She stressed that the Ministry must safeguard its policies to ensure investor confidence.
The Secretary informed the Committee that the Government aims to establish 3,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030, adding that more than 72 licenses for the installation of electric charging stations have already been issued. He stated that charging stations would be developed under a public-private partnership model, with government support to bridge investors’ viability gap.
The Committee was further informed that approximately 2.2 million electric vehicles of different categories are projected to be on Pakistan’s roads by 2030. To date, over 12,800 electric vehicles and around 160,000 electric motorcycles have been manufactured locally. The Government has allocated a subsidy of Electric Bikes of Rs. 9 billion in subsidies for two- and three-wheelers, while eligible buyers receive a subsidy of Rs. 80,000 for purchasing an electric motorcycle. So far, around 5,700 beneficiaries have availed bank financing under the scheme. Officials informed the Committee that applicants must provide a valid CNIC, bank account and crossed cheque to qualify. Senator Anusha Rahman recommended that the subsidy be transferred directly to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to improve transparency and implementation. Officials also informed the Committee that ownership of subsidized electric motorcycles cannot be transferred for two years.
Discussing the EV policy, Senator Mandviwalla appreciated the Ministry’s efforts to promote local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. However, he questioned the adequacy of the proposed charging infrastructure, noting that Karachi alone would require approximately 4,000 to 5,000 charging stations. He also sought details regarding the number of electric bike manufacturers, their production capacity and the infrastructure needed to support widespread EV adoption. Sharing his personal experience of difficulty locating charging facilities during travel, he emphasized the need to extend charging infrastructure to remote areas.
The Secretary informed the Committee that electric motorcycles equipped with 3–7 kilowatt batteries require only a standard 220-volt power supply for charging. He further stated that advancements in battery technology have increased the driving range of electric vehicles to approximately 400–500 kilometres. Officials also informed the Committee that companies including Star Charge and HUBCO have shown interest in establishing charging infrastructure in Pakistan.
Senator Anusha Rahman recommended that the Ministries of Industries and Production, Petroleum and Power jointly present a comprehensive briefing on the implementation of the Electric Vehicle Policy at the Committee’s next meeting.
The Committee also reviewed the affairs of Pakistan Steel Mills. Officials informed the Committee that employees’ salaries had been released two months earlier, including payments to guarantors who had stood surety for their colleagues.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla observed that Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) has remained non-operational for the past eleven years and its privatization has seen no meaningful progress. He called for a thorough investigation into theft incidents at PSM and recommended the constitution of a sub-committee to examine the matter.
The Chairperson took notice of the case of a retired employee, Saadat Ali, who was allegedly implicated in a theft case without justification. She directed the Ministry to examine the matter on merit and ensure the clearance of his post-retirement dues. The Committee also discussed the case of another retired employee, Nazar Alam, whose outstanding dues remain unpaid. Officials informed the Committee that the required funds had not yet been released by the Ministry but assured members that payment would be made once the allocation is received.
The Committee was informed that approximately Rs. 15 billion in employee-related liabilities of Pakistan Steel Mills remain pending with the Finance Division.
During the briefing on security and theft at Pakistan Steel Mills, officials stated that incidents of theft have increased since the closure of the Mills. It was informed that personnel from the DSF, local police and some PSM security staff had been implicated in theft cases. The CEO informed the Committee that the Head of Security had been replaced and that 83 suspects had been arrested during the past three months in connection with theft-related offences.
Expressing serious concern over the lack of progress in prosecuting theft cases, the Committee observed that no culprit had been convicted despite repeated incidents. The Chairperson noted that material worth approximately Rs. 10 billion had reportedly been stolen from Pakistan Steel Mills. Officials informed the Committee that an inquiry into the matter has remained pending with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) since 2020.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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