Punjab has announced plans to conduct trials of driverless cars in the province, making it the first region in Pakistan to publicly confirm testing of self-driving technology. The announcement was made at Pakistan’s first Transport Expo held in Lahore, where provincial authorities outlined initiatives to transform mobility in the province. Although no specific timeline has yet been shared, officials confirmed that preparations for autonomous vehicle trials are underway and will cover safety, technology readiness and regulatory aspects.
The development places Punjab alongside a growing list of regions worldwide exploring autonomous transport solutions. In the United States, companies such as Waymo and Cruise operate driverless taxi services in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco. China runs large-scale autonomous trials in cities including Wuhan with fleets of self-driving taxis, while the United Kingdom has launched the world’s first autonomous bus service in Scotland under the CAVForth project. Countries including Japan, Singapore, Norway and Germany are also testing self-driving shuttles and vans as part of efforts to integrate advanced mobility options into existing transport networks. These global efforts focus on real-world safety, navigation challenges and establishing legal frameworks for commercial deployment, providing a reference point for local authorities as they prepare their own trials.
Alongside the announcement of driverless car testing, Punjab also confirmed the imminent launch of its electric taxi scheme, which is set to begin operations within 15 days — placing its rollout in the third week of September 2025. This initiative will mark the introduction of the first electric taxi service in Pakistan and reflects a shift towards cleaner, electric-powered alternatives to traditional fuel-based vehicles. In its first phase, the programme plans to distribute 1,100 electric taxis across the province, including Lahore, to encourage adoption of sustainable transport and reduce emissions in urban centres.
Both projects represent a significant step in modernising Punjab’s transport infrastructure. Authorities view autonomous vehicle trials and electric taxi services as complementary measures to improve mobility, reduce congestion and enhance environmental outcomes. The electric taxi service is expected to provide a practical test case for the province in managing large-scale electric fleets, charging infrastructure and passenger demand. The driverless car trials, on the other hand, will allow regulators to gather data on vehicle performance and public safety, which could inform future policies on integrating autonomous transport into Pakistan’s broader mobility landscape.
By combining efforts to introduce self-driving technology and electric vehicles, Punjab is positioning itself as an early adopter of emerging transport trends in the country. While many details remain to be finalised, the twin initiatives indicate a shift in priorities towards technology-enabled, environmentally conscious transport solutions aimed at improving services for commuters and reducing reliance on conventional vehicles.
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