Chinese-made EV scooties open new avenue for women’s mobility in Sindh

Liaquat Ali

Mirpurkhas: Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles are being incorporated into Sindh’s women-focused mobility initiatives as the provincial government expands a programme aimed at providing women with greater access to affordable and environmentally friendly transport.

Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon made the remarks while addressing a ceremony in Mirpurkhas this week for the distribution of free Pink EV Scooties among women.

The electric scooties, procured from China, form part of a provincial initiative through which women are being provided personal transport after completing the required training and passing the relevant test.

The programme combines women’s mobility with the growing use of electric vehicles in the transport sector, bringing Chinese EV technology into a provincial public-policy initiative focused on expanding women’s participation in social and economic activities.

Sharjeel Memon said the provincial government intended to continue the distribution programme and had set an objective of providing EV scooties to up to 50,000 women who obtain driving licences.

He said the initiative would eventually be expanded to women across all districts of Sindh.

The minister said the number of women obtaining driving licences had increased significantly and attributed the trend partly to greater acceptance within families of women riding motorcycles.

The Sindh government has also indicated plans to introduce Pink Taxis for women, adding another component to its women-focused mobility programme.

The use of Chinese-procured electric vehicles gives the initiative an additional dimension amid Pakistan’s broader efforts to increase the adoption of electric mobility and reduce dependence on conventional fuel-powered transport.

Under the programme, eligible women are provided the vehicles after undergoing training and successfully completing the required test. Sharjeel Memon said the distribution would continue without discrimination.

He also warned that the vehicles were intended specifically for eligible women and that action would be taken against men found using Pink Scooties.

Speaking about the wider women’s empowerment agenda, the minister linked the provincial initiative to measures introduced over the years to increase women’s access to economic and social opportunities.

He cited initiatives including the Lady Health Workers Programme, First Women Bank and the Benazir Income Support Programme, while noting the increasing participation of women in public life.

The provincial government has also introduced other identification and support initiatives, including Hari Cards for farmers and Labour Cards for workers, while highlighting developments in health, education and Thar coal.

The Mirpurkhas ceremony was attended by provincial ministers, members of the Sindh Assembly, local government representatives, senior administrative officials and transport authorities.

The distribution of Chinese-made electric scooties highlights the expanding role of China-origin EV technology in Pakistan’s transport landscape, while the Sindh programme links that technology with a specific policy objective: improving women’s access to independent mobility and facilitating their participation in education, employment and other activities.