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.
“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.
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.
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.
Secretary of Industries and Production Ihsan Ali Mangi emphasized the importance of aligning skills development initiatives with the emerging requirements of the automotive industry. He observed that effective coordination between government institutions, industry and international partners could help identify skills gaps, strengthen technical training and ensure that the workforce was prepared for new technologies.
He added that collaboration with the European Union could provide opportunities to exchange technical knowledge, improve training standards and develop industry-relevant skills, enabling Pakistani workers and technicians to respond more effectively to the changing demands of the EV ecosystem.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ihsan Afzal highlighted the importance of preparing the country’s youth for emerging technologies and future employment opportunities. He said that the transition to electric mobility should be viewed not only as a technological shift but also as an opportunity to develop a skilled workforce, encourage innovation and create new avenues for economic participation.
Rana Ihsan Afzal further stressed that cooperation with international partners could help connect skills development with the practical needs of industry, ensuring that young Pakistanis acquired competencies relevant to the evolving automotive and clean-energy sectors.
The EU delegation expressed interest in exploring cooperation with Pakistan in electric vehicle skills development. The meeting also discussed the role of institutional coordination and industry engagement in identifying potential areas for collaboration.
The meeting was attended by Secretary of Industries and Production Ihsan Ali Mangi, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ihsan Afzal, CEO Engineering Development Board, senior officials of the Ministry of Industries and Production, including Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries, and representatives of the European Union delegation.
