The Punjab government has announced plans to provide more than 125,000 electric bikes to talented male and female students under the CM Maryam Nawaz E-Bike Scheme.
A special meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif reviewed the scheme and its implementation plans. The meeting focused on making e-bikes accessible to students without placing a heavy financial burden on them.
Maryam Nawaz rejected proposals seeking a down payment from students. She also ruled out additional charges apart from the monthly instalment. The Punjab government will bear the interest and insurance costs associated with the e-bikes.
The meeting agreed in principle to set the monthly instalment at around Rs3,000. This will allow eligible students to obtain e-bikes without paying a large amount upfront.
The chief minister also approved plans to gradually expand the scheme beyond students. Government employees, departments and public delivery riders could also become eligible under future phases of the programme.
Maryam Nawaz directed officials to open the e-bike portal during the week. She also instructed authorities to make arrangements for providing e-bikes to eligible students within six weeks.
The programme will be available to students studying in both government and private-sector institutions. This will give eligible students across Punjab an opportunity to benefit from the scheme.
The government also plans to provide safety equipment with the e-bikes. Helmets and safety rods will be given to students free of cost as part of the programme.
The e-bikes will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. These batteries are commonly used in electric vehicles because of their durability and safety characteristics.
Aspiring students will also receive free two-day training in e-bike riding. The training is intended to help new riders operate the vehicles safely and confidently.
In a statement on X, Maryam Nawaz said applications would open on Friday. She said students would be able to apply for an electric bike with zero down payment and an affordable monthly instalment of Rs3,000.
The chief minister said the electric bikes would make daily travel easier for students. She also highlighted the potential savings on fuel and the reduced burden of expensive daily commuting.
The scheme is aimed at improving student mobility and supporting young people who face difficulties travelling to educational institutions. Rising transport costs have made affordable mobility an important issue for many students.
Maryam Nawaz also described the bikes as sporty, stylish and practical. She said the government wants Punjab’s students to become more independent and empowered.
The scheme will provide different colours for male and female students. Maryam Nawaz said, “Black for the boys and pink for the girls.”
With more than 125,000 e-bikes planned under the programme, the initiative could become one of Punjab’s largest electric mobility schemes for students. Its success will depend on transparent eligibility criteria, timely distribution and effective implementation.
Also read: Punjab Begins Preparations for Basant Lahore 2027
