EV Pink Taxi Scheme Announced for Women in Sindh
Speaking in the Sindh Assembly, Provincial Minister for Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, announced that the Sindh government will launch the EV Pink Taxi Scheme following the successful rollout of the Pink Scooter programme. The initiative aims to provide exclusive transport options for women, furthering the government's commitment to women's empowerment.
Pink Scooter Programme: Enforcement and Impact
Memon stated that traffic police have been instructed to take action if men are found using pink scooters issued under the scheme. “We have received complaints that some women’s brothers are using the scooters, and necessary instructions have been issued to address the matter,” he said. The minister highlighted that the Pink Scooter programme has significantly increased the number of women with driving licences in Sindh.
From 150 to 25,000: A Milestone in Women's Empowerment
Responding to criticism over the limited number of scooters distributed, Memon revealed that only 150 women possessed driving licences when the Pink Scooter Scheme was launched. “Today, around 25,000 women have applied for driving licences,” he said, describing the initiative as a significant milestone in promoting women's empowerment. He added that the government remains committed to providing scooters to every eligible woman: “Even if 100,000 women obtain licences, it is our responsibility to provide them with scooters.”
Transport Reforms: Electric Buses and Taxis
Highlighting the government's transport reforms, Memon noted that Sindh became the first province in Pakistan to introduce electric buses. The upcoming EV Pink Taxi Scheme will feature a fleet of pink taxis exclusively for women. The minister said the Sindh government would soon announce more details about the project.
Strong Tax Collection Performance by Sindh Revenue Board
Memon also claimed that the Sindh Revenue Board had achieved the strongest tax collection performance in the country. He stated that its revenue growth reached 24 percent, compared with the Federal Board of Revenue’s 10 percent growth.
