Sharjeel asks private sector to participate in electric taxi service project

Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon has said the provincial government is utilising all available resources to provide the best possible travel facilities to the people of Sindh.

He announced that the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF), a subsidiary of the Sindh investment department, was offering Karachi Interbank Offered Rate-based (KIBOR) subsidies to companies interested in launching electric vehicle (EV) taxi services. The initiative aims to ensure eco-friendly and comfortable transportation for citizens.

"EV taxi services are operational around the world, and the Sindh government plans to introduce a similar service through a public-private partnership model in collaboration with the private sector," he said, highlighting that the eco-friendly taxis would help address environmental challenges and reduce the carbon footprint of the province’s transport sector.

He said the government had decided to launch a dedicated EV pink taxi service exclusively for women, promoting the concept of women’s empowerment. In this unique initiative, both drivers and passengers would be women.

The energy minister noted that the EV taxi project would also create employment opportunities. Each vehicle would be operated by at least two drivers. He directed that proper training, character certification and police verification of drivers be ensured to maintain a safe and secure service.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Investment and Public-Private Partnership Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar briefed companies interested in the project on the incentives offered by the government.

During the meeting, Memon invited banks and private investors to participate in the initiative and urged all interested parties to submit their proposals promptly. He also stated that the EV taxi service would help discourage the use of widely criticised Qingqi rickshaw service. Transport Secretary Asad Zamin provided an overview of the facilities being developed for the EV taxi project.

It was agreed that 100 EV taxis would be launched in the first phase under the public-private partnership model. Sindh Bank’s Asad Ali Shah, SEDF CEO Khizar Pervez, Sindh Mass Transit Authority MD Kamal Dayo, and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.