LAHORE: In response to severe air pollution concerns, Punjab province, one of the regions heavily impacted by the issue, has announced the integration of 26,000 electric vehicles into urban traffic.
This initiative, known as the “Green Wheels Programme,” aims to benefit students, low-income citizens, women, and individuals with disabilities. Caretaker Punjab Minister for Transport, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, disclosed that the plan includes providing 10,000 electric motorcycles to university students.
Additionally, interest-free E-bikes will be allocated to women, three-wheeler bikes to individuals with disabilities, and interest-free E-rickshaws for those in need.
The program’s primary goal is to address the root cause of pollution, targeting the transportation sector responsible for 70–80% of pollution. Minister Murad highlighted another milestone achieved with the issuance of electric vehicle (EV) licenses in Pakistan for the first time.
Five major cities, namely Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur, have been designated as EV models in this historic initiative.
The transport minister emphasized the comprehensive nature of the plan, including infrastructure development for charging stations. He assured that strategic placement of battery charging stations will support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, contributing to the reduction of pollution in these urban areas.
