KARACHI: The provincial government in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Thursday announced it would procure 1,000 pink electric motorcycles for women to encourage female mobility and provide them with sustainable transportation, a statement from the Chief Minister’s House said.
Women driving motorcycles is rare in conservative Pakistan, where men in many households are the breadwinners while women tend to chores at home. Women driving cars or riding pillion on two-wheelers driven by a male relative is more socially acceptable in the country.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting of the provincial government’s senior ministers, advisers and special assistants to review provincial matters on Thursday. During the meeting, Shah was told that the Transport and Sindh Mass Transit Authority (T&MTD) plans to launch a program aimed at enhancing female mobility through sustainable transportation.
“This initiative will introduce approximately 1,000 electric motorcycles for women, which will be allocated through an open and transparent balloting process,” the CM House said.
“The initiative requires Rs300 million to be obtained outside the budget.”
The cabinet also noted that an increasing number of women worldwide are opting for electric motorcycles as their primary mode of transport for daily commuting.
“Key factors driving this demand include greater mobility, cost-effectiveness compared to cars or public transport, eco-friendliness, and minimal maintenance,” the statement said.
The CM House said electric bike provide women independence, promote economic empowerment, break gender stereotypes and improve safety and security for them.
Applicants must be permanent residents of Sindh, a student or a “working female,” and hold a valid two-wheeler driving license.
The applicant also cannot sell the electric motorcycle for a period of seven years, the statement said.
