Beijing (TDI): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has identified electric vehicles (EVs) as a top area for future collaboration between Pakistan and China, calling it a sector with immense potential for joint growth.
Speaking at a press conference at the Pakistani embassy in Beijing, Iqbal responded to questions by underlining Pakistan’s interest in tapping into China’s advanced EV ecosystem.
He particularly praised China’s lead in developing next-generation battery technologies, including sodium-ion batteries, which offer key advantages over conventional lithium-based solutions.
“Electric vehicles have emerged as a transformative technology, and Pakistan is keen to work closely with China in this domain,” Iqbal said, stressing the importance of technological partnerships to accelerate green development.
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The upcoming Pakistan-China Business Conference, set for September 4 in China, will provide the ideal backdrop to explore such synergies. According to the minister, the event will host over 250 Pakistani companies and more than 200 Chinese firms, facilitating direct engagement in sectors like EVs, solar energy, chemicals, and agriculture.
Iqbal noted that Chinese companies could benefit from lower production costs in Pakistan, while the South Asian country would gain by reducing its dependency on fossil fuels.
He described localized EV manufacturing as a strategic move that aligns with Pakistan’s long-term goals of job creation, energy efficiency, and sustainable economic growth.
Pakistan’s recently launched National Electric Vehicle Policy (2025–2030) sets ambitious goals, aiming for 30% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, and a net-zero transport sector by 2060.
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The policy offers attractive incentives, including tax relief, subsidies, and government support for charging infrastructure, with a strong focus on domestic production.
Chinese manufacturers like BYD and Chery are already active in Pakistan’s EV landscape, setting up assembly lines, expanding infrastructure, and positioning Pakistan as a potential hub for EV production in the region.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
