In a vibrant ceremony that blended eco-innovation with women’s empowerment, the Sindh government rolled out the first batch of free electric scooters under its flagship Pink EV Scooty Scheme, handing over keys to 200 lucky female beneficiaries. The event, held on September 25 at a bustling venue in Karachi, marked a milestone in the province’s push for gender-inclusive, sustainable transport, drawing cheers from recipients, officials, and supporters alike.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led the distribution, personally handing over the sleek pink scooters to a diverse group of female students, teachers, and working professionals. “Today, we are taking another big step by distributing electric scooters free of cost to women, which will not only ease their daily commute but also provide greater access to employment opportunities,” Bilawal Bhutto Zardari declared, emphasizing the scheme’s role in national progress. He highlighted the contrast with restrictive policies elsewhere, stating, “We want to send a strong message to Pakistan and the world—the Pakistan Peoples Party stands with the women of this country.”
The initiative, launched in April 2025 by the Sindh Transport and Mass Transit Department under Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, aims to distribute 1,000 such scooters across the province by year’s end. Each scooter comes equipped with safety features, including helmets, road safety training, and access to EV charging stations, in partnership with private entities like KFC Pakistan, which provided rider training and licensing support. “This pink scooter scheme is not just about transportation; it’s about women empowerment,” Memon noted earlier this month.
From Application to Asphalt: A Transparent Journey
The scheme’s selection process—online applications via the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) portal, followed by skill tests and a public lottery—ensured fairness, with media and a supervisory committee overseeing the draw. Recipients like Maria Mazhar Ghori, a schoolteacher from Karachi, shared her excitement: “I’ve received training from the Bint-i-Ahan women’s bike club, and now with this scooter, I can commute safely without relying on crowded buses. It’s a game-changer for women like me.”
Eligibility remains straightforward: Women aged 18+ residing in Sindh, holding a valid driving license, and either enrolled as students or employed. Applications are still open on the SMTA website (smta.sindh.gov.pk), with phased distributions continuing into October. No prior vehicle ownership is allowed, and scooters are for personal use only to prevent misuse.
Broader Impact: Green Mobility Meets Gender Equity
This rollout aligns with national efforts like the federal Prime Minister’s Electric Bike Scheme 2025, which plans to distribute 116,000 e-bikes nationwide, but Sindh’s Pink EV focus zeroes in on women-specific barriers in urban hubs like Karachi and Hyderabad. By promoting electric vehicles, the program cuts fuel costs by up to 80% and reduces emissions, supporting Pakistan’s New Energy Vehicle Policy 2025–2030.
Looking ahead, Bhutto Zardari teased the launch of “Pink Taxis”—a women-operated ride service promising safe travel and job creation. As one recipient put it, “These wheels aren’t just for getting around; they’re for breaking barriers.”
For eligible women in Sindh, the message is clear: Apply now and ride the wave of change. The Pink EV Scooty Scheme isn’t just distributing vehicles—it’s accelerating a future where women lead the way, one eco-friendly mile at a time.
