As cities confront the twin challenges of rapid urbanisation 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 expansion 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 in the province. This marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s automotive sector, as Punjab moves beyond importing vehicles to manufacturing them locally. 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, substantially expanding environmentally friendly public transport across Punjab. She has emphasized that Punjab is no longer merely operating electric buses but has entered the manufacturing sector as well, positioning the province at the forefront of Pakistan’s transition towards green mobility.
The electric bus network is designed to benefit not only major metropolitan centres but also smaller cities. 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 also accelerated the rollout of buses that have already been procured. The chief minister directed the launch of 61 electric buses in 28 districts by July 10. Additional services will begin in districts including Jhang, Kabirwala, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Layyah, Okara and Sialkot. A further 189 buses are ready for soft launch, while another 112 buses have already reached cities such as Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Multan, Murree, Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib and Narowal, with operations scheduled to commence from July 25. To further strengthen the provincial fleet, another 488 electric buses are expected to arrive from China later this month.
To ensure equitable access, the chief minister has directed the transport department to extend electric bus services to Kot Addu, Talagang, Taunsa Sharif, Vehari, Lodhran and other underserved districts. She has also instructed that every district be allocated a minimum fleet of 15 electric buses, reflecting the government’s commitment to balanced regional development.
Alongside improvements in public transport, the Punjab Government has revived its popular electric bike programme for students. Under the initiative, 100,000 electric motorcycles will be distributed annually with a government subsidy of Rs70,000 per bike. Male students will pay a down payment of Rs14,000 followed by interest-free monthly instalments of Rs2,100. In a landmark initiative to promote women’s mobility and educational participation, the provincial government will bear both the down payment and registration charges for female students, requiring them to pay only the same affordable monthly instalments. The facility will also be extended to government employees through easy, interest-free financing.
Punjab is simultaneously investing in modern masstransit infrastructure. Construction of the Gujranwala and Faisalabad Masstransit Systems is progressing rapidly. The Gujranwala corridor has been expanded to 19.5 kilometres with 25 stations, while work continues around the clock in three shifts. Major engineering works, including underpasses at Gakkhar Mandi and Aimanabad, are advancing alongside environmental measures such as tree transplantation.
Similarly, the Faisalabad Masstransit System will span 20.3 kilometres with 21 stations and dedicated bus depots at Faisal Town and Airport Chowk. Elevated structures and road infrastructure are being developed simultaneously to deliver a modern transport system for one of Pakistan’s largest industrial centres.
The government’s electric taxi programme is also moving forward, with 582 applicants having deposited the required amount and 206 electric taxis already delivered. Meanwhile, work continues on Lahore’s Super Autonomous Rapid Transit (SRT) project, featuring an 18-kilometre corridor and a dedicated depot expected to be completed by July 2026.
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 Lahore-based public policy analyst and can be reached at [email protected]