Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday launched an e-taxi scheme in the province, saying that the initiative was part of the government’s efforts to establish an “e-mobility ecosystem”.

At a ceremony held for the scheme’s inauguration, the Punjab chief minister announced that around 1,100 e-taxies will be provided under the scheme at a subsidised rate, with a 30 per cent quota reserved for women.

“Punjab has become the first province to launch an e-taxi scheme, the first of its kind, not only for the environment, but it will also open up employment opportunities,” the chief minister said while addressing the ceremony.

“I am happy that over 30 pc of the scheme’s beneficiaries are women,” the chief minister added.

CM Maryam maintained that the initiative was a part of the government’s efforts to establish an “e-mobility ecosystem”.

“We have green buses as well — an example for the rest of the country,” she said, outlining plans to expand the service to “all 148 tehsils of Punjab”.

Turning her attention back to the e-taxis, the chief minister said that the government was providing “a subsidy of up to Rs4 billion on these 1,100 cars”.

She further announced that out of the 30pc down payment required, the Punjab government would cover 15pc.

“You can take this car home for Rs690,000 today,” she added, gesturing to the pink and green taxis lined behind her.

CM Maryam also announced that “for women, the government will bear 60pc of the downpayment cost”.

“Within the next 48 hours, you will see these e-taxis on the roads of Lahore and other districts in Punjab,” the chief minister added.

Separately, in a post on X, the Transport and Mass Transit Department of Punjab said, with the newly launched scheme, the government was “marking a major step towards clean mobility, employment generation, and inclusive transport opportunities”.