Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced that 1,500 electric buses will be operational across the province by December, marking a major step towards eco-friendly public transport. Speaking at a ceremony in Pakpattan under the Suthra Punjab Initiative, she said that the program had exceeded expectations, making smaller cities cleaner, greener, and more developed. The Chief Minister emphasized that her focus is on uplifting smaller cities, ensuring their residents enjoy modern facilities similar to those in larger urban centers.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that 35,000 new machines have been purchased for city cleanliness operations, which are being carried out across Punjab without discrimination. She added that Pakpattan, once overlooked, now stands as a model of progress under the initiative. Her vision, she said, aims to bring equal development to all cities, ensuring no district is left behind in the province’s modernization efforts.
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The Chief Minister revealed that the electric buses are equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and separate seating for women to ensure comfort and safety for all passengers. She mentioned that public transport was previously limited to major cities like Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Bahawalpur. However, the launch of 1,100 new green buses will now provide affordable travel options across Punjab, with fares starting as low as Rs20 per ride.
Furthermore, Maryam Nawaz announced that by April or May next year, an additional 500 electric buses will be added to the fleet, further expanding the network. She directed district officers to establish comfortable and safe bus stops along all routes within three months. These efforts, she stated, reflect her government’s commitment to making Punjab’s transport system modern, inclusive, and environmentally friendly.
Besides transport, the Chief Minister also shared progress on her Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing project, noting that 90,000 homes are already under construction within just eight months. She revealed plans to provide houses to 500,000 to 700,000 families in the next five years. Additionally, under the Kisan Card scheme, interest-free loans of up to Rs150,000 per crop are being offered to farmers, along with a historic fertilizer subsidy to boost agricultural productivity across Punjab.