OVERSEAS Pakistanis, who sent a record amount of $29.4 billion as remittances back home during the financial year 2020-21, are poised to take a lead in the local production of the first electric vehicle of the country.
Overseas Pakistanis-run Dice Foundation has developed Pakistan’s first electric car and its battery, a prototype of which will be unveiled in the next three to four months.
Dr Khursheed Qureshi, founder and chairman of Dice Foundation announced on Friday that a group of overseas Pakistanis working in the automobile industry in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom volunteered their services for the manufacturing of the electric vehicle.
This is, indeed, a great achievement that has made every patriotic Pakistani proud as the car as well as its battery pack has been designed indigenously with the cooperation of some research institutes, educational institutions and the private sector.
It is also appreciable that instead of reverse engineering, the electric vehicle has been manufactured in line with the international standards with sponsors of the project hoping that it will compete with the top electric vehicles of the world.
The achievement highlights the fact that Pakistanis rendering services in different sectors in various parts of the globe can contribute their share in accelerating the socio-economic development of their motherland provided they are offered the right kind of environment and incentives.
It is important to note that the technical analysis of the project is being done at DHA Suffa University, battery pack and power electronics at NED University, interior and exterior designs were carried out by the National College of Arts and fabrication is being done under TEVTA besides procurement of auto parts from the private sector.
This speaks volumes about local collaboration in research and development potential, which would go a long way in encouraging ‘Made in Pakistan’ in different sectors.
Hats off to Overseas Pakistanis for this great venture and we hope now the relevant ministries and institutions of the Government as well as entrepreneurs would come forward to take the project to early fruition through mass production, which, surely would be a step towards provision of quality, environment friendly and fuel efficient vehicles to customers at affordable prices.
