LAHORE: United Business Group (UBG) Patron-in-Chief S M Tanveer and the Regional Chairman and Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Zaki Aijaz, on Friday jointly inaugurated the three-day ‘Solar & Storage Expo’ at the Expo Centre Lahore.
The exhibition has brought together more than 100 leading international and local companies, showcasing state-of-the-art solar technologies, energy storage solutions, electric vehicles (EVs), electric bikes, and a comprehensive range of innovative renewable energy products and services.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, S M Tanveer and Zaki Aijaz stated that the promotion of solar energy has become imperative for Pakistan’s industrial growth, export competitiveness, energy security, and long-term economic sustainability. They stated that ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy for the industrial sector is a national economic priority. They remarked that Pakistan’s industrial future depends upon the availability of competitively priced electricity, adding that renewable energy represents the way forward for sustainable economic development.
The FPCCI leaders urged the government to rationalize electricity tariffs during peak hours to reduce the financial burden on industries. They also highlighted that taxes on electric vehicles in Punjab remain comparatively high and called upon the Punjab government to lower these taxes to encourage the widespread adoption of clean and sustainable transportation.
They further appealed to the federal and provincial governments to introduce a dedicated financing scheme for the purchase of solar batteries at a concessional markup rate of only three percent. Such an initiative, they opined, would enable industries, particularly those in Punjab, to significantly reduce energy costs, enhance productivity, and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets.
They also welcomed the government’s decision not to impose additional taxes on solar panels, batteries, and inverters, describing it as a positive and business-friendly measure that would benefit industry, commerce, and consumers alike. They, however, stressed that additional policy initiatives and practical incentives are essential to accelerate Pakistan’s transition towards green energy.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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