LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday inaugurated an electric bus service in five districts, marking another step in the provincial government’s drive to promote clean, affordable and sustainable public transportation.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, the chief minister announced that the electric bus service has been introduced in Layyah, Chiniot, Sialkot, Okara and Murree, with plans to gradually expand the initiative to all cities and tehsils across Punjab.
She said the project would provide citizens with safe, comfortable and affordable transport while reducing environmental pollution. Describing it as the largest public transport initiative in Pakistan’s history, Maryam Nawaz noted that Murree is receiving an electric bus service for the first time.
The chief minister also announced special fare concessions for senior citizens, women and students, making the service more accessible to a wider segment of the population.
As part of the expansion plan, 101 additional electric buses will soon be deployed in other districts, while the Punjab government aims to operate 5,000 electric buses across the province over the next five years.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to further improving public transport by introducing more modern and high-quality transit services in the coming years.
The inauguration of the service in Sialkot was conducted via video link from Lahore, after which provincial ministers and officials participated in a test ride on one of the newly launched buses.
Under the project’s first phase, 10 electric buses have been allocated to Sialkot. Of these, six buses will operate on the Sialkot–Pasrur route, while four buses will serve the Sialkot–Daska route, providing residents with modern, environmentally friendly public transportation.
In subsequent phases, the Sialkot fleet will be expanded to 45 electric buses, significantly enhancing the city’s public transport network while supporting Punjab’s broader objective of promoting sustainable urban mobility and reducing transport-related emissions.
