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Irish Independent
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Cricket: Dundalk Firsts edge past Mullingar to reach cup final
Despite shaky league form (only three wins total from 16 matches combined), both sides had enjoyed undefeated cup runs on their way to the semis. Mullingar were no strangers, the two teams having faced off in the league home and away already this season. The spoils were shared up to this point, with both sides defeating the other away from home. In warm overcast conditions at St Finian's, the hosts won the toss and put Dundalk in to bat. Keeper Sakhi Jan and veteran all-rounder Jithin John opened and partnered well, putting on 36 for the first wicket. The visitors struggled to put together partnerships after this, falling to 69-6 before Sanju Thomas and Umer Khan pulled Dundalk into triple figures. Mullingar's Tomas Mount and Brandon Boshoff caused the tailenders difficulty, combing to remove four of the last five batters. Defending just 118, Dundalk knew advancing looked a tough prospect but got the perfect start, captain Syed Adnan removing Mullingar opener PJ Mount early without runs on the board. A worrying 58-run stand for the second wicket followed before off-spinner Muhammad Tayyab made a breakthrough with two quick wickets. After the dangerous Bilal Alam was run brilliantly out by Syed Adnan, Dundalk knew they had brought themselves back into the tie, needing five wickets against the hosts' 42 remaining runs. Umer Khan took two crucial wickets late on to restrict Mullingar to 111-9, but the final batting pair could only muster a further three runs to finish four short and Dundalk celebrated a riveting victory. Dundalk advance to the final where they will meet Phoenix IV on August 16 at Lucan's St Catherine's Park. Elsewhere, Dundalk II lost narrowly in a low-scoring affair away to Sandyford IV at Marlay Park. GS Cricket Intermediate Cup semi-final Dundalk I: 118 (19.1 ov) Jithin 32, Boshoff 3-23 Mullingar II: 114/9 (20 ov) Zain 34, Tayyab 2-18 ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Dundalk won by 4 runs Division 18 Dundalk II: 101 (39 ov) Amal 45, Pratamesh 4-13 Sandyford IV: 102/7 (34 ov) Pratamesh 32, Amal 2-25 Sandyford won by 3 wickets Fixtures Saturday August 9 Division 10: Dundalk I v Pembroke IV Sunday August 10 Division 18: Knockharley III v Dundalk II Interested in getting involved in cricket? Visit or email contact@
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
EV momentum grows amid challenges
Pakistan's electric vehicle (EV) landscape is showing promising signs of growth, with increasing efforts to localize production and promote widespread adoption. However, the sector faces significant challenges, including capacity and load management issues within distribution companies (DISCOs), which currently make long-route EV bus operations unfeasible. The country's underdeveloped charging infrastructure and high financing barriers further limit EV usage to short-distance, urban commutes. Additionally, high battery costs and economic instability complicate the adoption process. "Consistent with experience in several countries of the world, the big push and impetus on EV adoption and conversion would come with tangible government support in the form of subsidies and tax credits," said Umer Khan, Head of Investment Banking at Bank of Punjab while speaking at The second Electric Vehicles (EV) Conference organised by the Climate Action Centre (CAC) and PakEVO. Further, there are significant pools of liquidity and credit enhancements available for climate finance and EV projects, which need to be accessed with the right pitch to international DFIs, he commented. Dr Aazir Khan underlined the missed opportunities from previous years when Pakistan's economic situation prevented budget allocations to key EV initiatives. "We must ensure that fiscal priorities align with sustainable energy goals, especially when climate resilience and green infrastructure are no longer optional," he emphasised. The discussions revealed that while global EV sales grew by nearly 40% between 2023 and 2024, Pakistan's market penetration remains dismally low. Yet, the mood remained cautiously optimistic as several developments signalled momentum. Among them was Daewoo's ambitious plan to replace diesel buses with EVs on shorter intercity routes, including connections between cities near Lahore, such as Sialkot. "Our goal is that within the next two years, we will convert our entire short-route fleet to electric," Sheriar Hassan from Daewoo said during the first panel, adding that financing collaborations with BOP are already underway. However, distribution companies (DISCOs) face serious capacity and load management challenges, making long-route EV bus operations currently unfeasible. Sheriar noted that while Daewoo successfully initiated its first electric bus pilot project between Lahore and Sialkot, the larger intercity network such as Islamabad to Lahore will require time and significant investment to scale.
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
‘Govt subsidies, tax credits crucial for a big push in EV adoption'
LAHORE: The 2nd Electric Vehicles (EV) conference held in Lahore on Saturday brought together industry leaders, policymakers, financiers, and climate advocates to accelerate discussions around Pakistan's EV landscape, highlighting the sector's promise and challenges. Organized by the Climate Action Centre (CAC) and PakEVO, and sponsored by Bank of Punjab, the conference marked an important step in aligning public and private efforts to foster EV adoption and localization in the country. Umer Khan, Head Investment Banking, FI & Corporate Banking Central at Bank of Punjab in his keynote expressed confidence about the prospects of EV and allied infrastructure in Pakistan. 'Consistent with experience in several countries of the world, the big push and impetus on EV adoption and conversion would come with tangible government support in the form of subsidies and tax credits,' he said. 'Further, there are significant pools of liquidity and credit enhancements available for climate finance and EV projects, which need to be accessed with the right pitch to international DFIs,' he added. In his keynote, Dr. Aazir Khan introduced PakKEVO, a newly launched initiative aimed at promoting EV-related education, collaboration, and policy reform. He underlined the missed opportunities of past years when Pakistan's economic situation prevented budget allocations to key EV initiatives. 'We must ensure that fiscal priorities align with sustainable energy goals, especially when climate resilience and green infrastructure are no longer optional,' Dr Aazir emphasized. The discussions revealed that while global EV sales grew by nearly 40% between 2023 and 2024, Pakistan's market penetration remains dismally low. Yet the mood remained cautiously optimistic as several developments signalled momentum. Among them was Daewoo's ambitious plan to replace diesel buses with EVs on shorter intercity routes such as between cities close to Lahore such as Sialkot. 'Our goal is that within the next two years, we will convert our entire short-route fleet to electric,' Sheriar Hassan from Daewoo said during the first panel, adding that financing collaborations with BOP are already underway. Distribution companies (DISCOs) also face serious capacity and load management challenges, making long-route EV bus operations currently unfeasible. Sheriar noted that while Daewoo successfully initiated its first electric bus pilot project between Lahore and Sialkot, the larger intercity network such as Islamabad and Lahore will require time and significant investment to scale. Panellists also highlighted that Pakistan has a strong opportunity to leapfrog into a regional EV manufacturing hub. Localization emerged as a central theme, with Nauman Alvi of EVEE Motors pointing out that the surge in two-wheeler sales — 1.4 million units in 2024 — was largely because of local production of affordable 70cc and 125cc models. He called for similar localization efforts for EV parts, beginning with plastic parts that account for 15-20% of vehicle costs, and stressed that widespread EV adoption hinges on achieving economies of scale. Noman Alvi shared insights from the company's experience, highlighting that 20% of EV users in Pakistan are women compared to less than 1% in traditional automotive markets, showing that female education and awareness campaigns are crucial for driving adoption. In her remarks, DFML key official Saleha Hassan challenged the misconception that EVs are merely luxury vehicles, saying, 'It's a utility decision — you invest in EVs because you invest in lifestyle change.' She added that hatchbacks represent 52% of the EV market, demonstrating strong consumer preference. Saleha's company DFML is making the hatchback EV Honri. She also said that CBUs should be discouraged while CKD assembly is something the government should support. Despite these encouraging signals, major hurdles persist. Pakistan's charging infrastructure remains underdeveloped, limiting EVs largely to short-distance, urban commutes. Financing barriers add another layer of complexity. Globally, high battery costs (constituting 30-40% of EV expenses) and uncertainties around resale values deter buyers. In Pakistan, the situation is compounded by economic instability, high interest rates, and a scarcity of consumer financing options. However, success stories such as the CM Punjab's Interest-Free Bike Scheme offer replicable models for wider EV financing programs. The conference also explored innovative financing mechanisms like green bonds, battery leasing, and partnerships between public and private sectors. Panellists cited global examples like the US Inflation Reduction Act and Europe's zero-interest loans to show how strategic financing can catalyze EV ecosystems. Speakers unanimously agreed that strong policy support and collaboration between government, financiers, and manufacturers are pivotal. Yasir Husain, Director at CAC and the chief organizer of the conference, said, 'Climate action needs to move from buzzwords to boardrooms, from talks to transactions — and EVs provide a bridge between economic resilience and environmental responsibility.' Throughout the sessions, voices from the manufacturing and financial sectors underscored that local assembly initiatives can position the country as a strategic export hub. Localization of battery production is also expected to begin soon, promising a more sustainable supply chain. Zulfiqar Younas from the Ministry of Climate Change and Dr. Umer Masud, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) also spoke on the occasion. The conference concluded on a high note, with participants emphasizing the need for urgent, coordinated action to capitalize on the sector's potential. With the global EV market expanding and Pakistan's youth-driven demographics offering a ripe consumer base, stakeholders agreed that the time for piecemeal efforts is over — a national EV ecosystem is no longer just an environmental goal, but an economic necessity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Fashion Value Chain
28-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Jeanologia Drives Sustainable Textile Innovation at IGATEX 2025
Spanish sustainable textile technology leader Jeanologia is spearheading modernization efforts at IGATEX 2025, hosted at Karachi Expo Center from April 24–26. With nearly 20 years of local presence, Jeanologia continues to drive Pakistan's transformation into a sustainable denim powerhouse through cutting-edge automation, digitalization, and eco-efficiency. At IGATEX, Jeanologia unveils the Compact Super, the fastest laser machine on the market, aimed at revolutionizing garment marking with higher speed, precision, and cost-effectiveness. The brand also showcases its innovative Laundry model — the first pollution-free denim finishing plant — highlighting a hyper-automated, scalable, and cost-neutral production approach. Jeanologia's technologies, including laser, ozone, e-Flow, and H2Zero water-recycling systems, have already enabled local manufacturers to cut water use by up to 85%, minimize chemical dependency, and improve worker safety. 'Hyper-automation is a key enabler of sustainable, profitable production,' said Umer Khan, Area Manager for Jeanologia Pakistan. 'With Laundry Pakistan is poised to lead global denim manufacturing with eco-efficiency and advanced technology.' Pakistan's textile sector, contributing 8.5% to the national GDP, continues to be a vital player in the global textile market. Jeanologia's ongoing partnerships with local mills, exporters, and brands aim to reinforce Pakistan's leadership in sustainable fashion innovation. Currently, over 35% of the world's five billion jeans are made using Jeanologia's technologies, reaffirming the company's commitment to revolutionizing textile production through sustainability, digitalization, and automation.
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
2nd EV conference brings together industry leaders, policymakers, financiers, others
LAHORE: The 2nd Electric Vehicles (EV) conference held in Lahore on Saturday brought together industry leaders, policymakers, financiers, and climate advocates to accelerate discussions around Pakistan's EV landscape, highlighting the sector's promise and challenges. Organized by the Climate Action Centre (CAC) and PakEVO, and sponsored by Bank of Punjab, the conference marked an important step in aligning public and private efforts to foster EV adoption and localization in the country. Umer Khan, Head Investment Banking, FI & Corporate Banking Central at Bank of Punjab in his keynote expressed confidence about the prospects of EV and allied infrastructure in Pakistan. 'Consistent with experience in several countries of the world, the big push and impetus on EV adoption and conversion would come with tangible government support in the form of subsidies and tax credits,' he said. 'Further, there are significant pools of liquidity and credit enhancements available for climate finance and EV projects, which need to be accessed with the right pitch to international DFIs,' he added. In his keynote, Dr. Aazir Khan introduced PakKEVO, a newly launched initiative aimed at promoting EV-related education, collaboration, and policy reform. He underlined the missed opportunities of past years when Pakistan's economic situation prevented budget allocations to key EV initiatives. 'We must ensure that fiscal priorities align with sustainable energy goals, especially when climate resilience and green infrastructure are no longer optional,' Dr Aazir emphasized. The discussions revealed that while global EV sales grew by nearly 40% between 2023 and 2024, Pakistan's market penetration remains dismally low. Yet the mood remained cautiously optimistic as several developments signalled momentum. Among them was Daewoo's ambitious plan to replace diesel buses with EVs on shorter intercity routes such as between cities close to Lahore such as Sialkot. 'Our goal is that within the next two years, we will convert our entire short-route fleet to electric,' Sheriar Hassan from Daewoo said during the first panel, adding that financing collaborations with BOP are already underway. Distribution companies (DISCOs) also face serious capacity and load management challenges, making long-route EV bus operations currently unfeasible. Sheriar noted that while Daewoo successfully initiated its first electric bus pilot project between Lahore and Sialkot, the larger intercity network such as Islamabad and Lahore will require time and significant investment to scale. Panellists also highlighted that Pakistan has a strong opportunity to leapfrog into a regional EV manufacturing hub. Localization emerged as a central theme, with Nauman Alvi of EVEE Motors pointing out that the surge in two-wheeler sales — 1.4 million units in 2024 — was largely because of local production of affordable 70cc and 125cc models. He called for similar localization efforts for EV parts, beginning with plastic parts that account for 15-20% of vehicle costs, and stressed that widespread EV adoption hinges on achieving economies of scale. Noman Alvi shared insights from the company's experience, highlighting that 20% of EV users in Pakistan are women compared to less than 1% in traditional automotive markets, showing that female education and awareness campaigns are crucial for driving adoption. In her remarks, DFML key official Saleha Hassan challenged the misconception that EVs are merely luxury vehicles, saying, 'It's a utility decision — you invest in EVs because you invest in lifestyle change.' She added that hatchbacks represent 52% of the EV market, demonstrating strong consumer preference. Saleha's company DFML is making the hatchback EV Honri. She also said that CBUs should be discouraged while CKD assembly is something the government should support. Despite these encouraging signals, major hurdles persist. Pakistan's charging infrastructure remains underdeveloped, limiting EVs largely to short-distance, urban commutes. Financing barriers add another layer of complexity. Globally, high battery costs (constituting 30-40% of EV expenses) and uncertainties around resale values deter buyers. In Pakistan, the situation is compounded by economic instability, high interest rates, and a scarcity of consumer financing options. However, success stories such as the CM Punjab's Interest-Free Bike Scheme offer replicable models for wider EV financing programs. The conference also explored innovative financing mechanisms like green bonds, battery leasing, and partnerships between public and private sectors. Panellists cited global examples like the US Inflation Reduction Act and Europe's zero-interest loans to show how strategic financing can catalyze EV ecosystems. Speakers unanimously agreed that strong policy support and collaboration between government, financiers, and manufacturers are pivotal. Yasir Husain, Director at CAC and the chief organizer of the conference, said, 'Climate action needs to move from buzzwords to boardrooms, from talks to transactions — and EVs provide a bridge between economic resilience and environmental responsibility.' Throughout the sessions, voices from the manufacturing and financial sectors underscored that local assembly initiatives can position the country as a strategic export hub. Localization of battery production is also expected to begin soon, promising a more sustainable supply chain. Zulfiqar Younas from the Ministry of Climate Change and Dr. Umer Masud, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) also spoke on the occasion. The conference concluded on a high note, with participants emphasizing the need for urgent, coordinated action to capitalize on the sector's potential. With the global EV market expanding and Pakistan's youth-driven demographics offering a ripe consumer base, stakeholders agreed that the time for piecemeal efforts is over — a national EV ecosystem is no longer just an environmental goal, but an economic necessity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
