TAXILA: Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam has said to coup with environmental issues the government has approved the first ever Electric Vehicles Policy under which 100,000 cars and 500,000 two and three-wheelers would be converted to electric vehicles in four years.

Talking to newsmen in Attock on Thursday, he said according to a global estimate around 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions were mainly due to transport means whereas in Pakistan it was 40pc.

Environmental degradation and ambient air pollution would be addressed through the e-vehicle system.

He said the initiative would lead to a saving of 70pc in running cost, cutting almost $2 billion in oil imports by 2030 besides creating thousands of jobs in the automobile industry.

Responding a question, the adviser said owners of motorcycles, three-wheelers and buses can reduce their monthly fuel cost by 60pc with the use of the electric vehicle technology.

He said the government would ensure the clean and green index to change environmental behaviour in all cities.

The green index initiative has been launched in 300 places in Punjab so for.

Responding another question, Mr Malik said the government was adopting adequate measures to combat environmental pollution and would switch over to Euro 5 fuel gradually as use of the upgraded fuel would reduce pollution.

He said the government was also preparing to launch electric buses across the country to combat air pollution for which an MoU had been signed with a private company.

He said Rs7.5 billion had been allocated in the current fiscal year for the 10 billion tree plantation project.

The project would also create hundreds of thousands of jobs and take the country towards a green economy.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2020