LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced establishing 2,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in a bid to promote eco-friendly public transport across the province.

The Punjab government is also planning to introduce some 600 electric buses in the initial phase of this initiative.

The plan was reviewed during a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman via video-link at the Civil Secretariat on Friday. The meeting was attended by the secretaries of the health and transport departments, and the Lahore Waste Management Company CEO, while the Director General of the Lahore Development Authority, divisional commissioners, and all deputy commissioners participated virtually.

The chief secretary directed the deputy commissioners to identify appropriate sites in their districts for setting up charging stations and bus depots. He said the initiative was aimed at delivering modern and comfortable transport facilities as per international standard to citizens across Punjab. He also instructed the authorities concerned to launch a campaign against overloading on public transport to enhance commuter safety.

The chief secretary further underscored the need to eradicate corruption in the revenue department, terming it a fundamental responsibility of deputy commissioners and a crucial step in providing relief to the public. He also called for the swift completion of land record computerisation and issued directives for effective measures against stray dog bite incidents.

Published in Dawn, June 21th, 2025