The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved a new electric vehicle bike scheme for female students and working women across the province. The initiative was approved during a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Under the scheme, electric bikes will be provided to female students enrolled in colleges and universities. Employed women will also be eligible to benefit from the programme.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the first phase of the electric bike scheme would be launched soon. He also announced that the bikes would be distributed strictly on merit.
The government has not yet announced the exact number of bikes that will be distributed. Details about the application process, documents and selection criteria are also expected to be shared before the first phase begins.
The scheme is aimed at improving transportation options for women across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Easier access to personal transport could help female students travel to educational institutions and allow working women to commute more conveniently.
The chief minister also announced plans for a separate electric rickshaw scheme. He described the initiative as part of the provincial government’s efforts to promote cleaner and greener transportation.
The cabinet meeting also approved several other important decisions. These included changes related to administration, education, transport, infrastructure and public services across the province.
One of the decisions was the creation of a new tehsil named Umarzai in Charsadda district. The move will establish a new administrative unit in the district.
The cabinet also formed a committee to develop criteria for future changes to administrative units. The committee will include representatives from the Board of Revenue, Local Government, Planning and Development, and Finance departments.
Another major decision concerned the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test, commonly known as MDCAT. The cabinet gave final approval for the test to be conducted through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) from 2027.
A committee will examine the technical and legal aspects of conducting MDCAT through ETEA. The committee will assess the arrangements required to implement the new system.
The cabinet also approved a transport monetization policy for judicial officers. The policy will provide a framework for handling transport-related facilities and expenses for eligible judicial officials.
The provincial government was also authorised to forward a joint resolution of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to the federal government. The move was among several administrative decisions approved during the meeting.
The cabinet approved Rs1 billion for the rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by floods. Out of this amount, Rs500 million has been specifically allocated for districts in Chitral.
The government also increased compensation for the family of slain Wana cleric Maulana Mirza Jan. The compensation was raised to Rs10 million as a special case.
Additional funds were approved for the purchase of 54 more buses for the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit system. The funds will cover customs duties, taxes and other import-related expenses associated with the buses.
The cabinet also approved bridge financing for the remaining construction work of the Khyber Institute of Child Health. The funding will help support the completion of the ongoing construction project.
The electric bike scheme remains one of the major decisions aimed directly at improving mobility for women. Its merit-based selection process is expected to determine which female students and working women receive the bikes.
Further details about the scheme are expected to be announced before applications open. Women interested in the programme will need to wait for official information regarding eligibility requirements and registration.
The initiative reflects the KP government’s broader push towards electric transportation. Along with electric bikes and planned rickshaws, the province is also seeking to expand the use of cleaner transport options.
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