Haroon Akhtar Khan calls for European cooperation in technical training and workforce development as Pakistan targets a 30% electric vehicle share by 2030.
Pakistan is seeking stronger cooperation with the European Union (EU) to develop electric vehicle (EV) skills, improve technical training and prepare its workforce for the growing electric mobility industry.
Advisor to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan met an EU delegation on Tuesday to discuss potential collaboration in workforce development and capacity building. The initiative aims to support Pakistan’s transition towards sustainable transportation while creating employment opportunities for young people.
Pakistan Targets 30% EV Share by 2030
During the meeting, Haroon Akhtar Khan highlighted the government’s target of increasing the share of electric vehicles to 30% by 2030. He emphasized that achieving this goal would require skilled technicians, qualified engineers and a strong industrial ecosystem alongside the introduction of electric vehicles.
He noted that several companies had entered Pakistan’s EV market, increasing demand for professionals with expertise in emerging automotive technologies. Developing these skills would help young Pakistanis access new employment opportunities and strengthen local capabilities in manufacturing and technology adoption.
The advisor stressed that Pakistan must capitalize on the global shift towards electric mobility after missing opportunities during earlier stages of the automobile industry’s development.
New Auto Policy to Support EV Industry
Haroon said the government’s forthcoming Auto Policy, expected to be introduced in the coming weeks, would prioritize electric vehicles and the development of the automotive sector.
He also highlighted ongoing work on a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Policy to support cleaner energy technologies and create a more favourable environment for emerging industries.
According to the advisor, expanding electric mobility could reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported oil, improve energy sustainability and encourage domestic value addition through local industrial development.
He directed the Engineering Development Board (EDB) to coordinate with the EU delegation and identify practical opportunities for cooperation in EV training, technical education and capacity building.
EU Cooperation to Prepare Pakistani Youth
Secretary of Industries and Production Ihsan Ali Mangi emphasized aligning training programmes with the changing needs of the automotive industry. He said cooperation between government institutions, businesses and international partners could help identify skills gaps and improve industry-focused training standards.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ihsan Afzal also stressed the importance of equipping young people with skills relevant to electric mobility and clean-energy technologies.
The EU delegation expressed interest in exploring collaboration with Pakistan. Participants also discussed institutional coordination and industry engagement to ensure that training initiatives meet the sector’s practical requirements.
The proposed partnership could help Pakistan develop a skilled workforce, strengthen its automotive capabilities and support the country’s long-term transition towards sustainable mobility.