The Sindh government has decided to phase out conventional vehicles used by its departments and replace them gradually with Sindh electric vehicles (EVs). The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Austerity, a cabinet body that looks at ways to cut government spending, held in Karachi on Friday. Future purchases for government departments will give preference to EVs, and the government wants its entire vehicle fleet to shift over time.
What the meeting decided
The meeting was chaired by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who is also the Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit. Provincial Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and relevant provincial secretaries attended. Participants reviewed ways to reduce government expenditure, save fuel and assess the vehicle needs of several departments.
The meeting approved the purchase of vehicles for the Home Department, the Anti-Corruption Establishment, and the Universities and Boards Department. One report named the body the Cabinet Committee on Economy, while others called it the Cabinet Committee on Austerity; the Austerity name is used here because most coverage uses it.
Why the government says it is moving
Memon said saving public resources is among the government’s top priorities, and that steps were being taken to cut costs while protecting the environment. He argued that promoting EVs in the government fleet would lower fuel expenses and reduce the burden of fuel costs on the provincial treasury. He also said the gradual shift would help lower the day-to-day running costs of departments. “The future belongs to electric vehicles,” he said, adding that public institutions should rely less on conventional fuels.
Shah said smoke from conventional vehicles affects the urban environment and air quality. He said he also wanted to promote EVs in local government institutions.
What happens next
The change is set to be gradual. The most concrete step announced so far is the rule that EVs will get preference in new purchases, rather than an immediate replacement of every existing vehicle. The announcement did not set a timeline or say how many vehicles will be switched. Shah’s remarks on local government institutions describe a wish to promote EVs there, and were not presented as a formal decision.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Sindh sarkar ne faisla kiya hai ke sarkari mehkamon ki purani gaariyan aahista aahista electric vehicles (EVs) se badli jayengi. Cabinet Committee on Austerity ke ijlas mein kaha gaya ke aainda gaari khareedte waqt EVs ko tarjeeh di jayegi. Government ka kehna hai ke is se petrol ka kharcha kam hoga aur dhuaan bhi kam hoga. Aam logon ke liye abhi sirf yeh ishara hai ke sarkari gaariyon par kharcha kam karne par zor diya ja raha hai.
