Sindh govt allocates budget for EV taxis, scooters in FY26
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the Sindh Transport and Mass Transit Department held in Karachi, chaired by Sindh Senior Minister and Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, MD Sindh Mass Transit Authority Kamal Dayo, CEO TransKarachi Fawad Ghaffar Soomro, and other senior officials.
A comprehensive review of ongoing and proposed projects, including the Peoples Bus Service and EV scooters initiative, was presented during the meeting.
Sindh govt steps up efforts aimed at launching EV taxi service next month
Discussions also focused on the development of charging infrastructure for EVs at multiple locations across the province.
Minister Memon was briefed on the progress of projects undertaken during FY2024-25 and held in-depth discussions on the proposed initiatives for FY2025-26.
The Sindh Mass Transit Authority also informed the minister about potential partnerships under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for launching new bus services.
The forum was further informed that the critical segment of the Yellow Line BRT, including the Jam Sadiq Bridge, has been completed and may be inaugurated later this month. Memon instructed concerned authorities to expedite work on the Red Line BRT to ensure its timely completion.
Speaking on the occasion, the senior minister said the Sindh government is committed to developing an environmentally sustainable and modern public transport system. 'We are striving to provide affordable and eco-friendly transport options to the public,' he said.
He added that more buses are expected to arrive in Karachi soon, and the city will also see the introduction of double-decker buses. 'We've already launched successful initiatives like EV buses and the Peoples Bus Service in Karachi, and we are working to expand this network across the entire province,' he noted.
Memon emphasized that the government aims to ensure modern transport services for citizens throughout Sindh. 'Our projects are aimed at streamlining traffic and modernizing the transport system on contemporary lines,' he concluded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Over 110,000 use PBS daily: Sharjeel
People's Bus Service is operating successfully across Sindh, currently serving over 110,000 passengers daily, said Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Friday. Sindh government is committed to providing quality transportation facilities to the public across the province, he said during the question-hour session in the Sindh Assembly regarding the Transport and Mass Transit Department. He added that the government is planning to expand the fleet to address the longstanding transport crisis in Karachi and other parts of the province. The assembly session was chaired by Speaker Awais Qadir Shah. In a symbolic celebration of Independence Day, women lawmakers attended the session dressed in green outfits and white dupattas, reflecting a festive patriotic atmosphere in the House. In response to a written and supplementary question from MQM MPA Dr. Fauzia Hameed, Minister Memon confirmed the government's provision of subsidies for the bus service and outlined further plans, including the launch of Pakistan's first electric vehicles (EV) for public transport. "EV buses and scooters will be introduced by the end of August. The scooters will be distributed free of cost to women," he announced. Minister Memon further highlighted digital reforms in the transport department: "Previously, vehicle route permits were handled manually. Now we are digitizing the entire process. By 2026, the entire transport department will be fully digitized. Route permits have already been digitized." Illegal constructions Raising a call-attention notice, MQM MPA Dr. Fauzia Hameed criticized the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) for widespread illegal constructions in Karachi. She claimed that more than 15,000 unauthorized structures have emerged, particularly in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Liaquatabad, and Korangi. "If SBCA didn't grant approval, how did these constructions happen? Clearly, corruption is involved," she alleged. In response, Parliamentary Secretary Qasim Siraj Soomro said action had been taken against several individuals and the government was "seriously committed" to curbing illegal construction activities.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
Green Line BRT ridership soars after takeover by Sindh govt: Sharjeel
KARACHI: Following the transfer of the Green Line BRT from the federal government to the Sindh government, its daily ridership has seen a significant increase, rising from 52,000 to 72,000 over the past six months. In this regard, the 15th Board Meeting of the Mass Transit Authority was held under the chairmanship of Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon at his office in the Sindh Secretariat. During the meeting, it was decided to take comprehensive measures to increase the daily rider ship of the Green Line BRT to 150,000 passengers. The meeting was attended by Mayor Sukkur Arsalan Islam Sheikh, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, MD SMTA Kamal Dayo, and other senior officials. During the meeting, MD SMTA briefed the participants on the organization's performance and the ongoing urban transport projects. The SMTA Board approved the portfolio for the Annual Development Program for the year 2025–26 and issued directives for the immediate completion of these projects. The Board also approved the engagement of a non-fare revenue firm for the property management of the Green and Orange Line bus projects. Speaking on the occasion, Senior Minister of Sindh and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, said that following the handover of the Green Line from the federal government, the Sindh government has taken effective measures to operate the system more efficiently, the positive outcome of which is evident in the consistent increase in ridership. He stated that the integration of the Green Line and Orange Line has provided greater convenience to the public and significantly improved their daily commute. Sharjeel Memon added that the Sindh government is striving to make these projects financially self-sustainable through the adoption of non-fare revenue models. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Sindh PA to take up resolution against NEPRA
A resolution has been tabled in the Sindh Assembly against the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority's (NEPRA) decision, which will be discussed in detail in the House on Tuesday (today). The resolution has been supported by the Sindh government. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon unequivocally said that the Constitution does not allow electricity distribution companies to impose collective punishment on people. During the Sindh Assembly session on Monday, MQM member Amir Siddiqui tabled the resolution, stating that NEPRA's July 18 decision to collect Rs50 billion from the people of Karachi is unjust. He said that NEPRA has no right to punish an entire area for one person's theft. He said that K-Electric (KE)has failed to collect bills, and this has not stopped electricity theft, yet the punishment is being meted out to the people who pay their bills regularly. Sharjeel said that KE's inability to collect bills is not a new issue and that NEPRA's decision to allow KE to collect Rs50 billion from Karachiites is unjust.
