NA Panel Expresses Displeasure Over Duties Levied on EV Chargers

 

K-Electric CEO invited by NA Committee Over Industrial Outages in Karachi

 

Standing Committee Takes Notice of PSM Officer's Posting Despite Pending FIR

 

Islamabad 3rd September, 2026: A meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production was held today under the Chairmanship of Syed Hafeezuddin, MNA, during which various matters were discussed in detail. The Committee took serious notice of the double duty being levied on electric vehicle (EV) chargers, expressing grave concern over its impact on the nation’s green energy goals. The Members of the Committee observed that taxing local EV infrastructure directly contradicts national efforts to promote green energy, the Prime Minister’s vision to encourage EV industry growth, stifles investment in sustainable transport, and places an unnecessary financial burden on consumers and industry stakeholders. To resolve this issue swiftly, the Committee directed officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to appear before its next meeting to review the duty structure and align it with national EV promotion policies.

 

Taking further action on administrative lapses, the Committee issued strict directives regarding the posting of Ch. Akram, Director PSM, to crucial positions at Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), Karachi. Expressing deep concern over how an individual facing an active FIR and an ongoing inquiry was posted to such a key role, the Standing Committee formally directed the Ministry to conduct a comprehensive inquiry over the matter and submit a report within 15 days.

 

The Committee expressed its grave concern on the severe load-shedding in Karachi, because it is heavily impacting local industries. The Committee directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of K-Electric to appear before the Committee in its next meeting to address the grave concerns raised by members and outline steps to ensure uninterrupted industrial power supply.

 

Finally, the Committee expressed strong reservations over the continuous non-attendance of the Advisor and the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production in the meeting, noting that such absences severely undermine parliamentary oversight over vital economic matters. The Committee directed them to ensure their presence at the next meeting, and failure to comply will result in the initiation of a privilege motion.

 

The meeting was attended by MNAs, Mr. Shahid Usman, Mr. Sajid Mehdi, Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, Mr. Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Ms. Naz Baloch, Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, and the Special Secretary, M/o Industries & Production, besides other senior officials of the ministry and its attached departments.