PM Shehbaz prioritizes energy planning, EV shift to tackle power crisis

PM Shehbaz Sharif claimed that effective energy planning is critical to Pakistan’s future. He stated that government measures during recent Middle East crisis helped ease potential crises.

During a meeting on energy security, the PM talked about a plan to build and maintain strategic reserves of crude oil to protect the country against supply disruptions. 

Moreover, he directed authorities to speed-up the transition towards electric mobility. He instructed procurement of electric buses and motorcycles for government use moving forward.

Furthermore, the PM emphasized the need to expand EV infrastructure, including the establishment of charging stations nationwide. 

He also called for a comprehensive plan to support battery storage systems, particularly for surplus solar energy, and encouraged local production of high-quality batteries.

Officials briefed the meeting that the National Coordination and Management Council for the energy sector is monitoring the evolving regional situation on a daily basis. They said that Pakistan has oil right now and that food supply is not a problem. They also said that Pakistan’s oil and gas production is gradually increasing.

The meeting was attended planning minister Ahsan Iqbal, finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, energy minister Sardar Awais Leghari, information minister Attaullah Tarar, and climate minister Musadik Malik.

The change is strategy is due to Pakistan facing a growing electricity shortfall, estimated between 4,500 and 6,500 megawatts which has resulted in prolonged load-shedding across several regions. 

The government wants to change things so that 30% of vehicles are electric in five years. This could save Pakistan around 4.5 billion dollars on fuel imports.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is pushing for electric vehicles and for Pakistan to store oil. This deal is for Pakistan’s growing energy concerns for the future.