LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched an E-Taxi scheme, announcing that in its first phase of the initiative having Rs4 billion subsidy, 1,100 electric taxis will be provided to both male and female drivers to generate employment and provide a safe transport facility to the people.

Addressing the launch ceremony here on Thursday, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Punjab was the first province to introduce the E-Taxi scheme, terming it an environment-friendly initiative.

She said the scheme would play a key role in providing employment opportunities, particularly to women.

Under the scheme, she said the government will pay 50 percent of the down payment for the male drivers and 60pc for the females, while a 30pc quota has been reserved for women under the scheme. She said the vehicles allocated for the female drivers have a distinct colour.

Govt to pay 50pc of the down payment for male drivers, 60pc for females

She added that the government will bear the cost of vehicle registration, fitness tests and token tax, adding that those acquiring the E-Taxi will make payments in easy installments in five years.

To ensure the safety of drivers and passengers, each E-Taxi is equipped with a “panic button” linked to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), she added.

She said the E-Taxis are being registered with In-Drive and Yango ride-hailing platforms.

She said the scheme could enable drivers to earn between Rs150,000 to Rs200,000 per month.

The chief minister said the government is providing a subsidy of Rs4 billion under the E-Taxi scheme.“I urge the women of Punjab to remove fear from their hearts. The government stands with every mother, sister and daughter. No one needs to feel threatened,” she said, adding that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to harm women.

Referring to inflation, she said the upward trend witnessed in 2024 had stabilised in 2025 and was now it was declining in 2026.

She announced that anyone who had not received a ration card or assistance under the Negahban programme could call helpline 1,000 and receive help within 24 hours.

Ms Nawaz said 4.2m families and 250,000 individuals had received Rs10,000 each under the Nigehban Ramazan package.

With the support of philanthropists, 450 Nigehban dastarkhwans (free meal outlets) were serving over 125,000 people daily, including attendants of patients in hospitals, she added.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2026