Sindh cabinet approves 50 electric buses for Karachi

KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet has approved an agreement to deploy 50 electric buses in Karachi. Provincial Minister Sharjeel Memon announced that the Sindh government will bear the fare expenses for these buses, which will become government property after eight years.

The cabinet has also approved a six-month fare subsidy amounting to PKR 412.5 million, with an annual allocation of PKR 825 million for the next seven years. According to Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, 50 buses are currently operational on three routes.

Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, Memon stated that the government is taking significant steps for the welfare of the people of Sindh, with crucial decisions made during the meeting.

Key decisions include the approval for the recruitment of new teachers and discussions on 42 agenda points. Measures will be taken to apprehend individuals dumping debris on roads and in drains, which leads to blockages, especially from demolished houses. About 16 out of 48 departments in Sindh are set to undergo digitisation.

Additionally, land near the Malir Expressway will be leased out, and substantial funding has been allocated for the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board. A committee headed by the Chief Secretary of Sindh has been formed.

An Export Processing Zone will be established on Steel Mills’ land, with proceeds used to revitalise the Steel Mills. Workers in domestic employment will be registered, and various housing societies for government employees will be created. Lower-grade employees will be offered plots on instalments at very low rates, with thousands of acres allocated for this purpose.

New routes for the electric buses will be initiated, aiming to introduce 8,000 eco-friendly buses. The cabinet has also approved a project to provide 100 MGD of water from Hub Dam to Karachi residents.

Minister Memon highlighted that no government funds have yet been used for the electric buses, which are being manufactured in Pakistan, expressing gratitude for this development.

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