Punjab plans interest-free electric bikes and e-taxis in upcoming budget

LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved a proposal to include 50,000 electric bikes and 5,000 electric taxis in the upcoming provincial budget on an interest-free basis, as part of a plan aimed at students and unemployed youth.

The proposal has been cleared for inclusion in the next financial year's budget and is intended to provide lower-cost, environmentally friendly transport while also creating employment opportunities for young people. Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan said people qualifying under the e-taxi scheme would be given easy instalment plans along with interest-free financing facilities.

He also said the government was weighing further incentives, including support related to vehicle registration. Bilal said the initiative was meant to strengthen the role of youth in the economy and expand job opportunities while encouraging the use of electric transport and helping reduce pollution.

In a statement on the proposal, Bilal said: "The government is taking practical steps to empower young people and bring them into economic activity."

Separately, the Punjab government is also reviewing the future of its free public transport facility as part of wider discussions on transport policy before the new budget. A briefing presented to the chief minister said the facility could be ended if petrol prices fall to Rs300 per litre. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Authorities are also considering a proposal not to extend the free travel programme further in the province. According to figures shared in the same briefing, more than 70 million passengers have used the facility during the past two months.