Pakistan’s electric vehicle ecosystem is set to receive another boost as China’s StarCharge, along with StarCharge Energy Pakistan and Bahum Global Ltd, have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch electric vehicle infrastructure, technology transfer and local manufacturing in the country. The agreement was signed in Islamabad and is aimed at strengthening the local electric mobility sector through international cooperation, the development of charging infrastructure, and the expansion of industrial capabilities tied to the EV sector.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan said the government is working to accelerate the shift toward electric mobility by encouraging local production, attracting foreign investment, and building a sustainable EV ecosystem within the country. He said the upcoming Battery Energy Storage System Policy is expected to play a key role in supporting Pakistan’s EV industry, particularly by encouraging investment in battery technologies and related manufacturing capabilities that remain underdeveloped domestically.
Khan added that wider adoption of electric vehicles could help reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported petroleum products, easing pressure on the country’s import bill while also improving environmental sustainability and long term energy security. This framing positions the EV push not just as an environmental initiative but as part of a broader economic strategy aimed at reducing foreign currency outflows tied to fuel imports, an issue that has repeatedly strained Pakistan’s balance of payments in recent years.
The government is also facilitating the rollout of EV charging stations across the country as part of efforts to make electric mobility more practical and accessible for everyday consumers, according to Khan. Charging infrastructure has remained one of the persistent barriers to broader EV adoption in Pakistan, with limited availability of charging points outside major urban centers often cited as a key obstacle for potential buyers considering the switch from conventional vehicles.
The entry of StarCharge into the Pakistani market adds to a growing list of international companies establishing a presence in the country’s EV sector, reflecting increasing interest from global players in Pakistan’s developing electric mobility market. As local manufacturing capabilities expand alongside charging infrastructure investment, officials appear to be betting that a combination of domestic production and foreign partnership can help build a more self sufficient EV ecosystem, one that reduces dependence on imported vehicles and components while positioning Pakistan to capture some of the manufacturing and technology transfer benefits associated with the global shift toward electric transportation.
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