Pakistan's planning minister has outlined a bold vision for the country's transportation future, arguing that a rapid shift to electric vehicles is not just an environmental choice but an economic imperative. Speaking at the EVS World and Electricity Pakistan Exhibition in Lahore, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the global EV revolution is already underway, and Pakistan must act quickly to avoid being left behind. Main Developments Around 80 percent of Pakistan's petrol is consumed by the transport sector, according to Iqbal. The government has already introduced concrete incentives to accelerate EV adoption, including a subsidy of up to Rs80,000 for electric motorcycles and reduced duties on electric vehicles in the recent budget. The minister called for a phased transition covering two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers. He noted that Pakistan has already built an energy buffer through 6,000–8,000 MW of solar capacity, making domestically generated electricity a viable alternative to imported oil for transportation. Read also: Pakistan Accelerates Tax Reforms and Cashless Economy Push Background Pakistan has long struggled with a heavy dependence on imported fuel, which drains foreign exchange and leaves the economy vulnerable to global price shocks. The country's transport sector has been almost entirely reliant on gasoline and diesel, with minimal EV penetration until recently. The government's current push builds on earlier efforts to promote renewable energy and reduce import bills. The recent tax reforms and cashless economy initiatives align with this broader strategy of economic modernization, though the EV sector's export potential remains largely untapped. Why It Matters Reducing fuel imports directly addresses Pakistan's chronic current account deficit. Iqbal stressed that the country must transition from a consumption-based economy to an export-oriented, dollar-earning model. EVs offer a dual benefit: cutting the import bill for petroleum while creating new export opportunities in a growing global market. The minister warned that Pakistan's current export volume needs to increase at least tenfold for the EV sector to achieve a prominent global position. Every business, he argued, must adopt an exporter mindset to help the nation reach its target of over $100 billion in exports by 2035. What's Next The government plans to continue policy support for EV adoption, including maintaining incentives and reducing import duties. A phased rollout across different vehicle categories is expected, with the initial focus on two-wheelers given their affordability and widespread use. Private sector participation will be critical. Iqbal emphasized the need for policy continuity and full government backing to help businesses scale up production and eventually compete internationally. The coming months will show whether these incentives are enough to jumpstart a domestic EV industry.