LHC bars Punjab govt from giving e-bikes to students

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday barred the Punjab government from giving electric bikes (e-bikes) to students and sought more information about the project until May 13.

During the hearing about reducing smog in Punjab, Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC rejected the government’s policy presented in the court with regard to e-bikes. The court observed that no bikes should be distributed before the formation of a new policy. The court also asked the government to explain where and how many bikes were being given.

Justice Karim observed that giving students e-bikes might lead to reckless behaviour like one-wheeling. He said boys might gather around girls’ colleges if they had e-bikes. Instead, he suggested providing colleges with electronic buses, observing that this would promote safer and more eco-friendly travel for students.

The court also sought a report from the PHA about the expenditure on colourful lights on the Canal Road, observing that planting trees would be better for the environment.

Talking to The News, Azma Bokhari, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, has emphasized that providing bikes to students falls within the domain of the executive. She clarified that decisions regarding roadside lighting also rested with the executive, aiming to ensure safety without encroaching on others’ spaces. Addressing concerns about potential misuse of e-bikes, she dismissed the notion that granting e-bikes would lead to undesirable behaviour, rejecting fear of one-wheeling. She said no institution should interfere in government affairs and asserted that government actions were meant to to fulfill its responsibilities.