Lahore: The Punjab government on Thursday launched a PKR 4 billion E-Taxi scheme aimed at generating employment and empowering women while providing a safe and environment-friendly transport option.
Addressing the launch ceremony, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Punjab is the first province in Pakistan to introduce an electric taxi initiative. The program will initially provide 1,100 electric taxis to both male and female drivers.
Under the scheme, the government will pay 50 percent of the down payment for male drivers and 60 percent for female drivers. A 30 percent quota of the vehicles has been reserved specifically for women, and the taxis allocated to them will have a distinct color.
The government will also cover the cost of vehicle registration, fitness tests, and token taxes. Drivers will be able to pay the remaining cost in easy installments over five years. E-Taxis under the scheme will be registered with ride-hailing platforms In-Drive and Yango.
To ensure safety, each E-Taxi is equipped with a panic button linked to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA). The Chief Minister said drivers under the scheme could potentially earn between PKR 150,000 and PKR 200,000 per month.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that the scheme would create employment opportunities, particularly for women, and urged them to participate without fear, assuring strict action against anyone attempting to threaten female drivers.
The launch of the E-Taxi program reflects the provincial government’s focus on sustainable transport, women’s empowerment, and job creation through subsidized and safe mobility solutions.
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