Pakistan has actively sought support from France’s Green Fund to help transition its small vehicle fleet to electric technology. This request, presented by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Power, Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, was made during a recent meeting with French Ambassador to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey. The proposal aims to leverage France’s Green Fund to bolster Pakistan’s efforts to shift to electric vehicles (EVs), a move that aligns with Pakistan’s broader energy and environmental reforms.
During the discussions, Minister Leghari emphasized the benefits of Pakistan’s newly introduced Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy. He highlighted that the policy is not only designed to reduce the country’s fuel consumption significantly but will also contribute to the protection of the environment. By embracing electric vehicles, Pakistan expects to save billions of dollars annually in fuel costs, while also alleviating the financial burden on the public by reducing transportation expenses. This shift to EVs is seen as a crucial step toward reducing the country’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development.
The French ambassador, for his part, expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s proactive approach and its efforts to negotiate favorable agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the energy sector. Minister Leghari shared that these negotiations, involving 28 IPPs, are projected to result in a national saving of approximately Rs1.4 trillion. He further discussed Pakistan’s upcoming Wheeling Policy, which aims to improve the transmission and distribution of electricity more efficiently. This policy is expected to ensure that surplus power is distributed more effectively across the country, providing a significant boost to Pakistan’s energy infrastruc
Additionally, the minister noted that the government of Pakistan is planning to auction additional electricity, which will help the country transition out of the power business and foster a more competitive market. The government has also hired independent boards for most of the distribution companies, and these neutral boards are already showing positive results by improving recovery rates and reducing line losses.
Minister Leghari also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to promoting renewable energy, particularly solar power, which is a key component of the country’s energy strategy. He reassured that all these reforms are being carried out with complete transparency, opening up new avenues for investment in the energy sector. The government’s forward-thinking approach is expected to stimulate significant growth in renewable energy and green projects across Pakistan.
The French ambassador expressed strong support for Pakistan’s energy reforms, acknowledging that these initiatives are not only encouraging but also have the potential to yield positive long-term results. France has indicated its willingness to consider providing both technical and financial assistance to Pakistan’s EV transition and other energy reforms, offering a collaborative partnership to help Pakistan achieve its goals in sustainable energy and environmental protection. – ERMD
