Pakistan eyes French green fund for EV push

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power, Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, has proposed leveraging France’s Green Fund to accelerate the country’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The proposal was made during a meeting with French Ambassador to Pakistan Nicolas Galey here on Thursday.

Highlighting the recently introduced EV Policy, Leghari emphasized its potential to save billions of dollars annually in fuel costs, reduce public transportation expenses and contribute to environmental protection.

The French ambassador welcomed the initiative and expressed France’s willingness to provide technical and financial support for Pakistan’s EV transition and other energy reforms.

“The reforms taken by Pakistan are promising and will yield positive results,” Galey said. He also appreciated Pakistan’s effective negotiations and amicable review of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) in the power sector.

During the discussion, Leghari outlined Pakistan’s ongoing energy sector reforms.

He revealed plans to implement a wheeling policy to streamline electricity transmission and distribution, auction surplus power and reduce government involvement in the energy business.

Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the power sector, with an emphasis on environmentally friendly initiatives and green energy projects. The French ambassador lauded Pakistan’s progress in renewable energy and pledged France’s continued support for sustainable development.