Maryam Nawaz waives down payment for 125,000 E-bikes under Punjab Student scheme

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced major financial relief for students under the provincial government’s electric bike scheme stopping the collection of down payments on more than 125,000 e-bikes being provided to students across the province.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced major financial relief for students under the provincial government’s electric bike scheme stopping the collection of down payments on more than 125,000 e-bikes being provided to students across the province.

Under the latest decision students will not be required to pay a down payment for the electric bikes. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also rejected recommendations to impose additional charges on students apart from their monthly installments.

The Punjab government will also bear the interest and insurance costs associated with the e-bikes. During a briefing, officials agreed in principle to a proposal under which students would pay a monthly installment of approximately Rs3,000.

Maryam Nawaz has further directed the authorities to open the e-bike portal within the current week so that eligible students can benefit from the scheme. The government has also instructed relevant departments to take steps to ensure that eligible students receive their bikes within six weeks.

The scheme is being introduced as part of the government’s youth-focused initiatives and aims to provide students with affordable and environmentally friendly transportation. The provincial government plans to gradually expand the scope of the Chief Minister Electric Bike Scheme beyond students.

In principle, the scheme has received approval for gradual expansion to government employees, government departments, the general public and delivery riders. This expansion is expected to increase access to electric transportation across Punjab.

Secretary Transport Imran Sikandar Baloch told the meeting that students receiving electric bikes under the scheme would also be provided with helmets and safety rods free of cost. The e-bikes will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are commonly used in electric vehicles because of their durability and safety characteristics.

The Punjab government has also decided to provide free two-day training to students who wish to learn how to ride the electric bikes. The training is intended to improve road safety and ensure that students can operate the vehicles confidently.

The removal of the down payment, government-funded interest and insurance and the proposed monthly installment of around Rs3,000 could make the scheme considerably more accessible for students.

The latest measures represent a significant expansion of Punjab’s efforts to promote electric mobility while providing students with affordable transportation options.