TODAY’S PAPER | April 22, 2026 | EPAPER

Govt to offer electric bikes on easy instalments to employees up to grade 16

PM Shehbaz directs that efforts to accelerate the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the country be stepped up


Web Desk April 22, 2026 1 min read
A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was held in Islamabad to review the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. PHOTO: PID

Government employees up to Grade 16 will be provided with electric bikes on easy instalments, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed that efforts to accelerate the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the country be stepped up.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz chaired a meeting in Islamabad to review the promotion of EVs in the country.

'In light of the current regional situation and future needs, promoting electric vehicles will not only reduce the burden of fuel imports but also play a key role in environmental protection and energy security,' he said.

Premier further directed that transparency be ensured in the subsidy provided for electric motorcycles to low-income individuals under the National EV Policy, and that the implementation of this scheme be expedited."

The meeting was briefed on ongoing measures to promote EV adoption nationwide. It was informed that 72 manufacturing certificates had been issued for electric motorcycles and rickshaws, and four for electric cars.

The meeting was further told that a total of 123 applications had been received to date for the establishment of EV charging stations, and plans were underway for 30 per cent of vehicles in the country to be electric within the next five years, which could result in fuel savings of approximately $4.5 billion.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers, including Climate Minister Musadik Malik, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Energy Minister Awais Leghari, and State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with senior officials.

As part of efforts to promote electric vehicles, the Islamabad Capital Police on April 6 inducted eco-smart electric vehicles into its fleet, with 15 battery-powered vehicles provided by the Interior Ministry and more expected to follow.

PM Shehbaz had said the vehicles operate entirely on batteries without petrol or oil, adding that such initiatives would help ease pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

He noted that work on fuel efficiency and the electric vehicle policy had begun before the current regional situation, which ultimately led to the procurement of the new fleet. The provision of eco-smart electric vehicles is part of the prime minister’s broader vision and the government’s energy-saving policy.

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