LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday formally launched an electric taxi scheme aimed at promoting clean transportation and expanding employment opportunities across the province, describing the initiative as a key component of the government’s broader plan to establish an electric mobility ecosystem. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, she announced that approximately 1,100 electric taxis would be provided at subsidised rates, with a thirty percent quota reserved for women. The chief minister said Punjab had become the first province in the country to introduce such a scheme, calling it a step that would not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also generate livelihoods for citizens, particularly women seeking economic participation.
Addressing the gathering, Maryam Nawaz said she was encouraged that more than thirty percent of beneficiaries under the scheme were women, underlining the administration’s focus on inclusive economic policies. She linked the initiative to ongoing efforts to modernise public transport in Punjab, pointing to the introduction of green bus services as an example of environmentally conscious planning. According to the chief minister, these services are being expanded gradually with the aim of reaching all 148 tehsils of the province, positioning Punjab as a model for sustainable transport development within Pakistan. She maintained that the electric taxi scheme was designed not as an isolated intervention but as part of a structured approach to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce reliance on conventional fuel based transport.
Detailing the financial framework of the scheme, the chief minister said the provincial government was extending a subsidy of up to four billion rupees on the 1,100 vehicles being offered. She announced that while applicants are required to make a thirty percent down payment, the Punjab government will bear fifteen percent of that cost, effectively reducing the initial financial burden on buyers. Gesturing toward the pink and green electric taxis displayed at the venue, she said that eligible participants could take the vehicle home for 690,000 rupees under the revised payment structure. In a further measure to encourage female participation, she stated that for women applicants, the government would cover sixty percent of the down payment, significantly lowering the entry barrier for women drivers entering the transport sector.
The chief minister added that the first batch of electric taxis would begin operating within 48 hours in Lahore and other districts of Punjab, signalling the administration’s intention to ensure swift implementation. In a separate statement posted on X, the Transport and Mass Transit Department of Punjab described the initiative as a major step towards clean mobility, employment generation, and inclusive transport opportunities. Officials said the scheme aligns with the province’s broader sustainability objectives and reflects an effort to integrate environmental considerations with economic empowerment, as Punjab moves to strengthen its electric vehicle infrastructure and reduce urban emissions.
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