By SKM
April 27, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s push toward electric mobility has run into fresh turbulence, as a policy dispute over customs classification threatens to slow the rollout of critical EV charging infrastructure across the country.
At the center of the controversy is Customs General Order (CGO) Entry No. 938, a provision in Draft CGO No. 3 (revised February 2025), which industry stakeholders say is effectively blocking the import of advanced electric vehicle chargers. The issue has been formally taken up with the Engineering Development Board by Go Green Avenue (Pvt) Ltd, a private firm involved in deploying EV infrastructure nationwide.
The dispute comes at a critical time. Under its New Energy Vehicles (NEV) Policy 2025–30, Pakistan aims to convert 30 percent of new vehicle sales—including motorcycles, rickshaws, cars, buses and trucks—to electric by 2030. Central to that goal is the installation of around 3,000 EV charging stations, including both standard and high-speed units.
However, industry players warn that the current regulatory framework risks undermining these ambitions. They argue that CGO Entry 938 creates a non-tariff barrier that favors a local manufacturer whose production capacity, they claim, is limited to Level 2 chargers with output of up to 50 kW.
Critics say the company does not manufacture Level 3 DC fast chargers—an essential component for public charging networks, particularly along highways and in urban commercial hubs where quick turnaround times are crucial.
Concerns have also been raised over compliance with international safety and performance standards. According to stakeholders, the locally produced chargers lack certification under key benchmarks such as IEC 61851 and IEC 62196, which govern safety, interoperability and system design, as well as IEC 62311 related to electromagnetic field exposure.
Technical experts further point to gaps in electromagnetic compatibility and communication standards—critical for integrating chargers into a synchronized national network.
The impact is already being felt on the ground. Go Green Avenue reports that one of its consignments of EV chargers remains held up at Karachi Customs due to the disputed classification, delaying multiple infrastructure projects planned for motorways, shopping malls and fuel stations.
In a formal appeal, the company has urged the Engineering Development Board to revise or withdraw the contentious CGO entry and grant a one-time exemption to clear the stranded shipment.
Industry observers caution that unless such bottlenecks are resolved quickly, Pakistan risks falling behind on its EV adoption targets. They note that while supporting local manufacturing is important, restricting access to essential technology before domestic capacity matures could slow the broader transition to clean transport.
As policymakers weigh their options, the outcome of this dispute is likely to shape not just the pace—but the viability—of Pakistan’s electric mobility ambitions. Ends
