The provincial government of Sindh has decided to gradually transition vehicles used by government departments to electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce public expenditure, save fuel and promote environmentally friendly transportation.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Austerity, chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon in Karachi on Friday. EVs will be given preference in all new purchases of government vehicles.
The meeting also approved the purchase of new vehicles for the Home Department, Anti-Corruption Establishment, Establishment Department, and Universities and Boards Department.
Speaking at the meeting, Sharjeel Memon said the conservation of public resources remained among the top priorities of the provincial government, and that measures were being introduced to cut government expenditure while protecting the environment.
Sharjeel Memon said the government wanted EVs to become the preferred choice, with the entire government transport system gradually shifting to environmentally friendly technology.
He said the phased transition would ease the burden of fuel costs on the provincial exchequer and lower the day-to-day operational expenses of government departments. “The future belongs to electric vehicles, and the government wants public institutions to reduce their dependence on fuel,” he said.
Sindh Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah said emissions from conventional vehicles were adversely affecting the urban environment and air quality. He added that efforts were also underway to promote EVs in local government institutions as an alternative to fuel-powered vehicles.
