Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has declared that her government's vision for modern public transport extends beyond major cities, with plans to introduce safe and environmentally friendly electric bus services in every town and village across the province. In a statement on Sunday, the CM emphasized that the expansion of the electric bus network from district headquarters to smaller towns and tehsils reflects the Punjab government's commitment to providing affordable, modern, and sustainable transport facilities to all residents.
Electric Bus Services Launched in Six Districts
The Punjab government has already launched electric bus operations on 13 routes in six districts: Khanewal, Khushab, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, and Hafizabad. A fleet of 15 electric buses has been deployed in Khushab, while nine buses each have been introduced in Khanewal, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, and Hafizabad.
In Khushab, the buses are operating between the General Bus Stand and Girot Chowk, Mitha Tiwana, and Mangowal. In Khanewal, the service has been launched on the Khanewal–Jahanian and Kabirwala routes. Bhakkar's buses run between the General Bus Stand, Darya Khan, and Behal, while in Attock they serve the POF Sanjwal–Hazro and Hakimabad–Attock Khurd routes. Electric buses have also started operating in Mandi Bahauddin on the Kathiala Sheikhan Rasul Village and College Chowk Manoo Chak routes, and commuters in Hafizabad are being served on the Jinnah Chowk (Inter-City) and Ghora Chowk–Jalalpur Bhattian routes.
Expansion Plans for July and Beyond
The provincial government plans to further expand the network to 14 additional districts by the end of July. Under this expansion plan, 10 electric buses each will be deployed in Chiniot, Layyah, Okara, and Sialkot. Lahore, Gujranwala, and Multan will each receive 12 buses, while Murree, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib, and Narowal will each receive 11 buses.
Officials have confirmed that another 488 electric buses are expected to arrive in Pakistan by the end of August 2026 and will subsequently be inducted into the public transport system across various districts. The government has allocated billions of rupees under the Annual Development Programme for modernizing Punjab's transport infrastructure.
Current Fleet and Future Goals
At present, around 400 electric buses are operating in 18 districts, while work is under way to induct a total of 1,500 electric buses into the provincial public transport fleet. In addition, another 212 electric buses designated for 20 more districts have already arrived in Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif reiterated the government's vision: “Our vision is not confined to big cities. Modern electric bus services will gradually reach every district, tehsil, and town across Punjab,” she said, adding that the initiative would improve public mobility while contributing to a cleaner environment.
