The Federal Government will provide free electric bicycles to high performance students in all educational boards in Pakistan, including the Federal Board, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday.
By chairing a high level meeting on the promotion of electric vehicles (EV), the prime minister said that the initiative aims to reward academic excellence while supporting the broader impulse of the Government for cleaner and more profitable transport.
The scheme will also prioritize people with economic disadvantages for the provision of Rickshaws and electric loaders, helping to generate employment and reduce dependence on fuel imports.
To guarantee accessibility, the government is preparing a comprehensive action plan to introduce electric vehicles to affordable rates through subsidized loans.
More than 100,000 electric bicycles and 300,000 loaders will be distributed in easy terms, officials confirmed during the meeting.
The prime minister ordered that 25% of the total quota under the EV scheme be reserved for women, with provincial assignments based on population relations. In addition, he instructed that Baluchistan’s participation increased to 10%.
In addition to the students focused on the students, the government is taking measures to establish a complete ecosystem for the manufacture and maintenance of EVs.
Four new battery manufacturing companies are ready to start operations in Pakistan as part of this plan, which is expected to create new job opportunities and drive the local industry.
To guarantee transparency and responsibility, PM Shehbaz ordered the validation of third parties of the distribution and support mechanisms.
He also requested a public awareness campaign to inform citizens about the scheme and encourage absorption.
Electric bicycles, Rickshaws and loaders distributed under the initiative must comply with safety and quality standards, the prime minister emphasized.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Khan Chema and Attaullah Tarar, special assistant Haroon Akhtar, chief coordinator Mosharraf Zaidi and senior officials of the relevant departments.
