Rawalpindi: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday formally inaugurated a new electric bus service in Rawalpindi, marking what officials described as a major step toward clean and modern public transport in the city. Cheif Minister Maryam Nawaz announced multiple projects including the cancer hospital, free education for more than 80,000 children, road and infrastructure projects. She affirmed that strict and swift action will be taken against individuals involved in women harassment.
Rollout includes 45 electric buses
At the launch ceremony, the chief minister handed over a fleet of 45 electric buses to the city’s transport system. Officials said the buses aim to reduce emissions, ease congestion and provide commuters with a quieter, more efficient travel option.
Authorities said the new service reflects the provincial government’s broader push for environment friendly transport. They added that the initiative is expected to cut fuel costs and improve air quality in Rawalpindi, one of the region’s busiest urban centers.
Public service begins after formal inauguration
Following the ribbon-cutting, the electric buses will begin operating on designated routes across the city. Transport officials said additional routes may be added as demand grows.
Chief minister says development pace has “no parallel”
During inauguration ceremony, Maryam said the scale of ongoing development in the past year and a half was unmatched in recent provincial history. She cited road construction, sanitation improvements and new transport facilities as examples of projects underway.
Additionally, she added that major works in Rawalpindi and Murree were carried out under the leadership of the PMLN-led government. She claimed that opponents who were hoping for government setbacks were “disappointed.”
Transport facilities expanded with subsidized fares
Maryam highlighted the recent launch of electric buses, saying the service aims to offer commuters reliable and low-cost travel. Officials said the fare has been set at 20 rupees, while women and senior citizens will travel free.
According to the chief minister, her administration is laying a network of roads across multiple districts to support mobility and economic activity.
Opposition claims countered with infrastructure push
Maryam asserted that no other party had matched the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s record on infrastructure. Moreover, she said previous PML-N governments oversaw significant development gains. She added that work on a signal-free corridor in Rawalpindi was part of broader efforts to ease congestion.
Furthermore, she argued that national progress accelerated under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Criticizing former Prime Minister Imran Khan and first lady Bushra Bibi, Maryam Nawaz stressed that progress comes by hard work not by black magic.
Road projects continue across districts
Maryam said her team was prioritizing connectivity, including thousands of kilometers of newly built or upgraded roads over the past year. She added that the government intends to extend development schemes to additional districts in the coming months.
