A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday to launch an EV (electric vehicle) taxi service in Sindh.
A ceremony was held at the Sindh Government Officers Club, Karachi, where the MoU signing was overseen by Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
The minister said on the occasion that the project reflects the vision of President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Memon said the Sindh government has taken the lead in the transport sector, and its projects have influenced many countries around the world. The Pink Bus Service includes female drivers and conductors, and has been widely appreciated, he added.
He said EV buses were launched in Pakistan for the first time in Sindh, along with the introduction of Pink electric scooters. These projects aim to empower women and help them advance, he added.
He also said that when the Pink electric scooter scheme was launched, only 160 women had driving licences, but now 20,000 women have applied. “The Sindh government is also providing free electric scooter driving training to women and encouraging them to advance, as this is how positive change is achieved in society.”
He added that the Pink EV Taxi Service aims to promote a sense of security among women and provide a safe environment so they can play an effective role in society. He also noted that women are now serving as pilots of firefighting aircraft.
He thanked the Sindh Bank and other stakeholders for their important role in the project, and said that the effects of war are long-lasting, so it is the responsibility of governments to create employment opportunities for youth. He added that this project is part of that effort.
Memon said that whenever vehicles are purchased, the Sindh government prioritises EVs. He noted that EVs are being imported into Pakistan from various countries and are gaining public preference.
He added that there is a plan to establish an EV manufacturing plant in the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone, and encouraged industrialists to invest in this sector. In response to a question, he said that many people were claiming credit for the green passport, but after India’s defeat, the Pakistani passport is now being viewed with respect worldwide.
He added that Pakistan plays an important role in the region, and criticised the Indian foreign minister for using inappropriate language, saying that it reflects a lack of arguments. He credited national unity, the efforts of the federal government, and the Pakistan Armed Forces for this success.
Responding to a question about inflation, he said governments are working on the issue and developing joint strategies, with serious steps being taken to control inflation. In response to another question, he said that there should be no compromise on matters related to the country’s security under any circumstances. Referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) letters to the International Monetary Fund, he said the PTI had written that Pakistan should not be given a loan.
He pointed out that such actions harm the country. He made it clear that anything that harms Pakistan is unacceptable. He also remarked that all transport department projects are transparent, and that several companies are interested in investing in the EV taxi project.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Investment Qasim Naveed Qamar said that it was a pleasure to be a part of the programme, and that the participation of the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF), a subsidiary of the investment department, was a source of pride.
Qamar said that improving transport has long been a shared goal, and that the Sindh Bank has played a significant role in social development. He appreciated the SEDF’s performance, and said people have benefited from its efforts.
He said the Punjab government has also initiated a similar programme, and the federal government is considering the same approach, with public welfare measures being implemented through this platform over the past 10 years.
Sindh Bank President Anwar Sheikh said that given the current environmental conditions, EVs are the need of the hour. He extended his best wishes to the Sindh government, the transport department and the Sindh Mass Transit Authority. Sindh Bank Deputy CEO Asad Shah said that it was an honour to be a part of the project.
