Some relief for students across Punjab as CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif approves expanded e-bike scheme covering more than 125,000 students, with the upfront down payment scrapped and monthly instalments set at around Rs3,000.
Under the revamped plan, students will not be asked to deposit any money at the start. Maryam Nawaz has also rejected proposals for additional charges, directing authorities to keep students’ financial responsibility limited to the agreed monthly instalment.
The government will absorb the interest and insurance costs, while the monthly repayment has been proposed at around Rs3,000. The move is expected to significantly reduce the initial financial pressure on students seeking affordable transport.
CM Punjab E-Bike
Punjab government has ordered officials to launch the e-bike registration portal within the week, setting the stage for students across the province to begin applying online.
The announcement is major expansion of Punjab’s existing interest-free bike initiative, which was introduced to tackle students’ transportation problems while encouraging cleaner and more sustainable travel. More than 18,500 bikes have already been distributed under the programme, according to the provincial Transport Department.
The latest package represents a major shift from the financing terms announced earlier in 2026.
Punjab government had announced a Rs70,000 subsidy per electric bike. Male students were required to contribute a Rs14,000 down payment, followed by monthly instalments of Rs2,100. Female students received more favourable assistance, with the government covering their down payment and registration fee.
Now, the revised scheme eliminates the upfront payment altogether and places the interest and insurance burden on the provincial government, potentially making the programme accessible to a much wider pool of students.
The e-bike expansion also forms part of Maryam Nawaz’s wider youth-focused agenda. The Punjab chief minister had earlier declared 2026 the “Year of Youth”, with plans to provide 100,000 electric bikes, 100,000 laptops and 100,000 scholarships every year.
With the registration portal expected to go live this week, thousands of students are now waiting for the government to reveal the final eligibility conditions, application process, required documents and confirmed instalment schedule.
For students struggling with daily commuting costs, the revised scheme could prove to be a major relief — turning the dream of owning an electric bike into a far more affordable possibility.
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