Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched an electric bus service in Faisalabad on Monday, announcing a fleet of 150 buses for four districts and vowing to defend the province’s rights.
Speaking at the inauguration, Punjab CM said Faisalabad was “returning to the PML-N fold” and paid tribute to senior party leaders who stood by her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, during difficult times.
She highlighted Rana Sanaullah’s loyalty, recalling his pledge to stand “a thousand per cent” with the elder Sharif during political challenges.
Read: Electric bus rollout hits roadblock
Punjab CM dismissed criticism over her public visibility, saying that while personal attacks would be ignored, any move against Punjab’s development or rights would be met with a firm response. “If you talk against Punjab’s rights, Maryam Nawaz will not spare you,” she said.
The chief minister announced that Faisalabad would receive 90 of the new electric buses, Jhang 30, and Chiniot and Toba Tek Singh 15 each.
She described the initiative as the first public transport system for Faisalabad and congratulated residents on the service.
Read more: Sargodha welcomes green transit with CM's electric Bus initiative
Earlier, she inaugurated eco-friendly electric buses in Sargodha.
At the ceremony, she stated that 60 electric buses will run in Sargodha city and 105 buses have been allocated for the four districts of the Sargodha division, which include Bhakkar, Mianwali, and Khushab.
There will be dedicated seating areas for women, and the fare for the electric bus service will be set at Rs 20 for males. It will offer free travel to children, students, women, and senior citizens, she said.
According to reports, 48 buses have arrived in Sarghoda as of September 17th, and five bays at the General Bus Stand have been vacated to make space.
For now, 33 buses will run as phase one of the bus rollout, with an additional 15 in phase two, according to a reporter working for Express Tribune.
A temporary charging station has been established in Sargodha; however, the existence of only one charging station may cause logistical difficulties, he adds.
The Government has allocated an area near Chak 91 for the establishment of a permanent charging port, which a separate local third party will install.
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