ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday chaired a conference on weather change and made the decision to suggest to electrical cars by establishing electric car plants for the very first time in the nation. Consultant to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam briefed the leading on the weather change. The prime minister ordered the government bodies concerned to ensure conversion of 30 percent of all cars functioning in the country into electrical vehicles by 2030.
On the problem of the possibility of heavy rains and flood in Gilgit-Baltistan, the conference was informed that Shipper glacier in Hassanabad village of Hunza was posing a dangerous threat to residents of the location with every passing day as it has surged by 3 kilometers. The prime minister directed his group on weather change to expedite the process of setting up a glacier checking system to monitor all glaciers in the nation. Referring to the government’s plan to plant 10 billion trees across the country, the prime minister declared that it was a national task and the matter should not be politicized.
Later, Mr. Aslam said to a media meeting that the govt organized to introduce electric cars in the country by 2030 and that the move would have a far-reaching impact on the country’s environment. “Most nations are opting for electric cars across the world and Pakistan is far behind in it and once launched in the nation, electrical vehicles will help save Rs2 billion worth of oil imported into the nation besides minimizing the country’s air pollution,” Mr. Aslam declared. The consultant declared that smoke emissions from vehicles were a major source of air pollution in the country and it contributed heavily to smog during the winter season in Punjab, especially in Lahore.
He declared that electrical cars would help lessen dependence on LPG and compressed natural gas stations, most of which were shut down because of gas closure on various days especially in winter in Punjab and these stations would be converted into charging docks for electric cars. Referring to the smog problem in Punjab during winter, he declared that a year ago crop burning, one of the leading sources of smog in Punjab, was banned. This year, too, he declared, crop burning would be prohibited and the govt planned to purchase the crop waste to sell it to industrial units. He also publicized plans to launch Green Rickshaws in the country and for this function, the govt was holding talks with various stakeholders.