The Sindh government has approved the purchase of 500 EV buses for Karachi, marking a major step toward modernizing public transportation in the province. Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, announced the decision while addressing the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday. The initiative is expected to improve urban mobility and promote environmentally friendly transport solutions.
According to Sharjeel Memon, the newly approved electric buses will operate on several important routes across Karachi. The planned routes include areas such as Ittehad Town, Banaras Colony, Liaquatabad, Jahangir Road, and Cantt Station. Additional routes are also expected to connect Orangi Ghaziabad, Iqbal Market, Walika, Nazimabad No. 2, Ayesha Manzil, and Zahoor Chowk.
The launch of 500 EV buses for Karachi is being described as a significant development for Pakistan’s transport sector. Sharjeel Memon stated that there was previously no concept of electric buses in the country, adding that the Pakistan Peoples Party introduced the service to improve public transport standards and reduce pollution in urban areas.
The minister also highlighted the increasing popularity of existing EV bus services. He said ridership on the Orange Line has grown steadily, while transport routes have also been expanded to cities including Tando Allah Yar, Khairpur, Ranipur, and Rohri. Authorities believe the expansion will help commuters access safer and more affordable travel options.
Earlier this year, Sharjeel Memon inaugurated a new EV bus route from Gulshan-e-Maymar to Tower in Karachi. During the ceremony, he said the Sindh government was focused on introducing modern transport services while also improving public welfare projects. He noted that residents of Gulshan-e-Maymar would benefit significantly from the new service.
The Sindh government has also introduced Pink Bus and Pink Scooty initiatives aimed at supporting women’s mobility and empowerment. Officials say these services are the first of their kind in Pakistan and are designed to provide safer transportation options for female commuters across the province.
Sharjeel Memon added that acquiring EV buses was challenging because the vehicles were initially held at the port, while the Sindh government had to pay 18% tax compared to the lower tax rates imposed elsewhere. Despite these challenges, the approval of 500 EV buses for Karachi is being viewed as a major milestone for sustainable public transport in Pakistan.
