LAHORE: The caretaker Punjab government has announced distributing 26,000 electric motorbikes and rickshaws to the people on an interest-free basis.

The announcement was made at a ceremony organised by the Punjab Transport Department here on Tuesday where CM Mohsin Naqvi also inaugurated the Qingqi Rickshaw Registration Programme across Punjab.

Naqvi said the government would provide 10,000 electric bikes to students, facilitated by the Bank of Punjab, while another 10,000 electric rickshaws would also be distributed. Some 2,000 electric three-wheeler bikes would be granted to special individuals free of interest, he said.

Emphasising environmental concerns, he said a ban on government-level purchases of petrol-powered motorcycles across the province had been imposed.

He also announced the initiation of the Qingqi Rickshaw Body Standers Programme, highlighting the relentless efforts of the transport department in registering Qingqi rickshaws, a task previously deemed impossible.

Drawing inspiration from China’s success with electric vehicles, he hoped a positive impact on the environment within the next three years if electric bikes gained widespread adoption.

To encourage the shift to electric vehicles, he emphasised the high quality of electric rickshaws and their role in combating pollution.

“The plans include providing 10,000 electric rickshaws free of interest and allocating 2,000 three-wheeler bikes to special individuals. Civil secretariat employees, government and private sector women, and government employees will also receive 2,000 electric bikes each, all on a free-of-interest basis,” he said.

Consul General of China Mr. Zhao Shiren and Consul General of the US Ms. Kirstin K. Hawkins were also present.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2024