LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday announced that it will no longer purchase petrol or diesel vehicles for official use, opting exclusively for electric and hybrid vehicles in a move aimed at reducing emissions and promoting green transport. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman said the policy reflects the provincial government’s commitment to environmental protection, though vehicles used for field duties have been exempted from the restriction.
Read More: Punjab bans purchase of new petrol, diesel vehicles
The government also linked approvals for new petrol pumps to the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging units. No new petrol pump will be allowed to operate without providing EV charging facilities, and 170 newly approved pumps across 31 cities have been instructed to install such units. Key cities include Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Bahawalpur.
“پنجاب حکومت کا مستقبل میں صرف الیکڑک اور ہائیبرڈ گاڑیاں خریدنے کا فیصلہ”
⭕: وزیراعلی مریم نواز شریف کے ماحول دوست اقدامات کے تحت یہ پالیسی لیول کا فیصلہ کیا گیا
⭕: حکومت پٹرول اور ڈیزل گاڑیاں نہیں خریدے گی، سینیئر صوبائی وزیر مریم اورنگزیب کی غیر ملکی وفد سے ملاقات میں… pic.twitter.com/6SyLRhn3QF
— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 14, 2026
While the announcement marks a significant policy shift, the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has yet to issue a formal notification. Officials said the policy would take effect once the chief minister grants formal approval, after which S&GAD will officially launch the initiative.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the move forms part of broader smog mitigation measures. She highlighted that the government has added 1,000 e-buses across the province and plans to procure 10,000 more this year. Measures to control crop burning, monitor air quality through drones and thermal cameras, and operate a “Smog War Room” are also underway.
Read More: Punjab bans petrol, diesel vehicles for official use
The provincial government credited these initiatives with significant improvement in Lahore’s air quality, citing a NASA report confirming a 60 percent reduction in smog levels. The announcement was part of a briefing to American business leaders on Punjab’s environmental and governance reforms, including mechanisation of brick kilns, e-transport, and official use of hybrid and electric vehicles.