EDB authorized to lead in EV policy making

Engineering Development Board (EDB) has been authorized to lead the policy formulation task for electric vehicles in the country.
The board working under the Ministry of Industries will play a key role. Also, it has been directed to submit draft proposals in February.
While Electric Vehicles (EVs) policy is on focus in Pakistan, multiple departments were seen elbowing each other for formulating the policy and such attitude had irked the country’s auto sector. The contenders for seeking the job included the Ministry of Science and Technology and the environment agencies.
In such a situation, Abdul Razak Dawood, the Adviser to the prime minister on Industries and Production decided to make EDB the focal department saying EV Policy was the domain of MoIP as per the rules of business.
In a moot in January, he directed the board to submit the first draft within one month. The policy would an inclusive initiative.
EDB Chairman Raza Abbas was quoted in a report asking the auto industry to respect the timeline for submission of proposals to the board so the first draft could be finalized before the end of February.
The investment in the EVs would be under the Auto Development Policy (ADP 2016-21), which would include investment plans, standardization of equipment, promotion of localization, exports of parts and components in the long run, employment generation and positive impact on the national economy.