ISLAMABAD
Pakistan Consulate General in Shanghai hosted a New Energy Vehicle Procurement Conference along with 2025 Shanghai International Auto Show. BThe show attracted around 60 major Chinese automakers including BYD, Geely and Skyworth, Gwadar Pro reported.
It has drawn international acclaim for its technological innovations, with Punjab Transport Minister of Pakistan Bilal Akbar Khan calling the event “a demonstration of China’s electric vehicle leadership”. “Before coming here, I thought I understood China’s EV progress,” said the minister. “But the scale of innovation at this show is beyond imagination.
From luxury models to commercial trucks, Chinese manufacturers are demonstrating complete EV solutions that put them years ahead of global competitors.” The eight-day exhibition, running from April 25 to May 2, showcases cutting-edge automotive technology from nearly 1,000 companies across 26 countries.
For the Punjab delegation, the timing proved crucial as the Consulate General of Pakistan in Shanghai hosted a New Energy Vehicle Procurement Conference on April 29 alongside the show, attracting around 60 major Chinese automakers including BYD, Geely and Skyworth. “It’s time for Pakistan to go green and adopt EV technologies,” Bilal Akbar Khan emphasized, stressing his province’s push toward sustainable transport.
Punjab is already making strides, with 27 electric buses successfully operating in Lahore as part of a pilot project. The provincial government is now finalizing the procurement of an additional 500 electric buses and five companies have been shortlisted for the tender. “We hope to have all 500 on the road by the middle of this year,” he added.
Punjab aims to introduce 600 more electric buses from July, extending beyond major cities like Lahore to improve rural mobility. “Rural transportation is equally important,” the minister stressed. Beyond buses, the province is also planning three new metro routes in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala to further reduce emissions.
Meanwhile, Punjab is rolling out initiatives, including 1,100 electric taxis in Lahore-a batch of 25 vehicles each to be supported by a dedicated charging station. Private investors are being encouraged to develop charging infrastructure, with the government offering land for such projects.
Additionally, under the Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP), the province plans to distribute 120,000 electric two- and three-wheelers in the next three years, along with 10,000 electric bikes for women in education and healthcare. “We are in the middle of a big change,” Khan declared. “The Shanghai Auto Show proved that the future is electric, and Punjab is determined not to be left behind.”
Meanwhile, Officials and dealers of China-Pakistan joint-venture automakers participated in Shanghai Auto Show 2025 in remarkable numbers.
It made history at the Shanghai Auto Show 2025 by bringing the largest delegation of 50 representatives to the event. It is also the largest in Pakistan’s history, Gwadar Pro reported quoting officials.
The delegation, which included Master Changan’s dealers and team, reinforced Pakistan’s significance in Changan’s global strategy, the company said. The delegation also participated in the 2025 Changan Automobile Overseas Partners Conference, where the Pakistan venture was announced as a strategic part of Changan’s global vision under the Vast Ocean Plan.
The delegation also experienced Changan’s lineup through test drives and explored the brand’s latest innovations, its digital intelligence factory and Global R&D Centre, it said. Meanwhile, a delegation of dealers and team members of Haval Pakistan, a JV of Pakistan’s Sazgar Engineering and China’s Great Wall Motors, also participated in the Shanghai Auto Show.
GWM Pakistan won 10 awards at the GWM Annual Awards 2025, Haval Pakistan said. “It is the 2nd highest tally among contestants from 80 countries”, according to Abuzar Butt, DGM Marketing at Sazgar.
MG Motors Pakistan, a JV between China’s SAIC Motors and Pakistan’s JW SEZ Group, said separately that it was appointed as an official distributor for IM Brands at the Shanghai Auto Show 2025. The 21st Shanghai Int’l Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2025) is underway in Shanghai from April 23 till May 2.
