ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has decided to impose a complete ban on the purchase of petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles for government departments.
The move is part of a major initiative to promote environmentally friendly transportation across the province.
According to details, only electric or hybrid vehicles will be allowed for future procurement in government institutions, while vehicles used for field operations have been exempted from the ban.
Punjab Chief Secretary stated that promoting green energy is a top priority for environmental protection, and a new electric vehicle policy will be introduced soon to support this goal.
He further announced that approval for new petrol pumps will now be conditional on the installation of electric vehicle charging units.
No new petrol pump will be permitted to operate without providing EV charging facilities.
In this regard, electric charging units have been made mandatory for 170 newly approved petrol pumps across 31 cities in Punjab through the e-biz portal.
The Chief Secretary added that 29 petrol pumps in Faisalabad, 14 in Lahore, 10 in Bahawalpur, and nine each in Khanewal and Bahawalnagar have been required to install charging units.
Similarly, eight petrol pumps each in Rawalpindi and Jhang, and seven each in Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, Kasur, and Chiniot have been approved under the condition of providing electric vehicle charging facilities.
