Multan (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the Green Electro Bus Service in Multan, announcing that 60 electric buses would initially operate in the city, with the service eventually being extended across all major routes.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, she thanked the people of Multan for the warm welcome and said the affection and hospitality shown by the city’s residents would remain memorable.
The Punjab CM said that women, students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities would be able to travel free of charge on the Green Electro Buses, while the fare for other passengers had been fixed at Rs20 while the buses have also been equipped with wheelchair access and ramps to facilitate passengers with disabilities.
Maryam Nawaz said that the air-conditioned electric buses will offer free Wi-Fi, mobile charging facilities and CCTV surveillance.
She added that the Green Bus Service was being introduced across all districts of Punjab without discrimination.
Maryam said 1,500 new buses will be deployed in 91 tehsils from January 2027, while another 1,100 buses have been ordered for smaller districts and regional headquarters.
She announced to expand the electric bus network across the province, with a target of 3,000 eco-friendly buses by June 2027.
The Punjab CM said that her government would ensure that no passenger had to travel on the roof of a bus, while safe and reliable transportation would be provided particularly for women and students.
Highlighting development initiatives in Multan and other parts of southern Punjab, Maryam Nawaz said the Multan-Vehari Road had been converted into a dual carriageway at a cost of Rs35 billion while the project had been completed within one year.
The Punjab CM added that a cancer hospital had been inaugurated in Multan, providing patients with modern medical equipment and specialist doctors.
She stated that the Punjab government was covering cancer treatment costs ranging from Rs1.6 million to Rs2.8 million, while plans were underway to establish cancer hospitals in every division of the province.
Maryam Nawaz further announced that 100,000 electric motorcycles would be provided to students across Punjab. She said students would be able to obtain an electric bike, along with a helmet, by paying only Rs3,000. Female students, she added, would not be required to make a down payment and would instead pay a monthly instalment of Rs3,000.
She said 200,000 houses had been completed under the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” housing programme, with 125,000 beneficiaries already having moved into their homes.
She added that 300 Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence were being established across Punjab, while medicines had already been delivered to more than one million people at their doorsteps.
Speaking about the law and order situation, Maryam Nawaz said police personnel and Counter Crime Department (CCD) officials had sacrificed their lives during operations against criminal elements. She said the provincial government was taking measures to strengthen the rule of law and protect citizens across Punjab.
The Punjab CM also addressed the rise in petroleum prices, attributing the increase to the war between Iran and the United States. She said she did not want the burden of higher prices to fall on the pockets of ordinary citizens.
Turning to political matters, Maryam Nawaz said her government was concentrating on development projects and initiatives aimed at improving public services.
Criticising recent political activities by rivals, she claimed that some political figures who had visited Punjab failed to receive public support.
The Punjab CM also referred to criticism surrounding her use of air travel, saying sarcastically that if travelling by plane was being criticised, she had even considered coming to Multan by a Qingqi rickshaw.
She added that if a metro service were available between Lahore and Multan, she would have travelled by metro.
CM Maryam concluded by saying that the criticism was not directed at her personally but at Punjab’s development, while claiming that development projects were currently underway across the province.