Haroon directs EDB to explore EV skills cooperation with EU

ISLAMABAD  –  Advisor to the Prime Minis­ter for Industries and Pro­duction Haroon Akhtar Khan met a delegation of the Euro­pean Union (EU) to discuss avenues for cooperation in electric vehicle (EV) skills development, technical train­ing and capacity building to support Pakistan’s transition towards sustainable mobility.

During the meeting, Ha­roon Akhtar Khan empha­sized that promoting electric vehicles and developing the skilled workforce required by the emerging sector were important components of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for a modern, competitive and sus­tainable industrial economy.

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“Pakistan has set a target of increasing the share of elec­tric vehicles to 30 percent by 2030. Achieving this transition requires more than introduc­ing new vehicles; it demands a skilled workforce, technical expertise and the develop­ment of a supporting industri­al ecosystem,” the advisor said.

He noted that several com­panies had entered Pakistan’s electric vehicle market, creat­ing a growing need for trained technicians, engineers and oth­er professionals equipped with modern EV-related skills. He stressed that timely investment in skills development would help prepare Pakistani youth for emerging employment op­portunities while strengthen­ing the country’s capacity to adopt and manufacture new technologies. “Pakistan missed important opportunities during earlier phases of the global au­tomobile revolution, but we will not afford to miss the electric vehicle revolution. Our objec­tive is to build local capabilities, develop technical expertise and ensure that this transition cre­ates jobs and industrial oppor­tunities for Pakistan,” Haroon Akhtar Khan remarked.

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The advisor said that the government’s forthcoming Auto Policy, expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks, would place particular empha­sis on electric vehicles and the development of the automo­tive sector. He added that work was also underway on a Bat­tery Energy Storage System (BESS) Policy, which would support the broader transi­tion towards cleaner energy technologies and strengthen the enabling environment for emerging industries.

Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of electric mobility, he said that the transition could contribute to reducing the country’s oil import bill, improving energy sustainability and creating opportunities for local value addition. He underlined the importance of ensuring that Pakistan’s EV transition was ac­companied by the development of technical skills, local supply chains and industrial capacity.

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Haroon Akhtar Khan directed the Engineering Development Board (EDB) to engage with the EU delegation and explore prac­tical areas of cooperation in EV skills development, technical training and capacity building. He said Pakistan was keen to benefit from European exper­tise and experience in develop­ing the workforce and techni­cal capabilities required by the evolving automotive industry.

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