As cities confront the twin challenges of rapid urbanization and environmental degradation, Punjab has adopted an integrated green mobility strategy centred on electric transportation, industrial development and sustainable urban infrastructure. The initiative goes beyond introducing cleaner vehicles; it seeks to stimulate industrial growth, generate skilled employment, reduce environmental pollution and improve urban mobility across the province.
The provincial government has approved a broad package of reforms, including the expan-sion of electric buses, taxis, motorcycles and three-wheelers. The programme aims to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions, improve air quality and provide safe, affordable and modern transport facilities to millions of citizens.
A defining feature of the strategy is the establishment of Punjab’s first electric bus manufacturing and assembly industry. Benefiting from the Punjab government’s investment-friendly policies, an electric bus assembly plant has already begun operations, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan’s automotive sector. Local production is expected to reduce procurement costs, promote technology transfer, create skilled jobs and strengthen the domestic industrial base while supporting long-term economic growth.
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has set a target of deploying 5,000 electric buses over the next five years. During the first phase, 1,500 electric buses will operate across 91 tehsils in the divisions of Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad and Sargodha, ensuring that modern public transport reaches communities beyond traditional urban hubs.
The provincial government has accelerated the rollout of buses already procured. Sixty-one electric buses are scheduled to begin operations in 28 districts by July 10, followed by addi-tional services in districts including Jhang, Kabirwala, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Layyah, Okara and Sialkot. Another 189 buses are ready for soft launch, while 112 buses have already reached cities including Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Multan, Murree, Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib and Narowal. A further 488 electric buses are expected to arrive from China later this month. To ensure equitable access, the chief minister has also directed that underserved districts receive services and that every district be allocated a minimum fleet of 15 electric buses.
Alongside improvements in public transport, the Punjab Government has revived its electric bike programme for students. Under the initiative, 100,000 electric motorcycles will be dis-tributed annually with a government subsidy of Rs70,000 per bike. Female students will re-ceive additional support through government-funded down payments and registration charges, while the facility will also be extended to government employees through easy, in-terest-free financing. Punjab is simultaneously investing in modern mass transit infrastructure. Construction of the Gujranwala and Faisalabad Mass Transit Systems is progressing rapidly with expanded corridors, modern stations and supporting infrastructure. The government’s electric taxi pro-gramme is also moving forward, while work continues on Lahore’s Super Autonomous Rapid Transit (SRT) project featuring an 18-kilometre corridor.
Punjab’s integrated green transport strategy reflects a broader vision of sustainable development, technological advancement and climate resilience. By combining electric vehicle manufacturing, expanded public transport, affordable financing, clean mobility solutions and modern mass transit infrastructure, the provincial government is laying the foundation for a cleaner, more efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system. If implemented successfully, the initiative has the potential not only to transform mobility within Punjab but also to serve as a model for sustainable transport development across Pakistan.
—The writer is a
contributing columnist.
