Punjab to produce electric buses locally

The Punjab government has officially cancelled its international tender for the import of electric buses and will now move forward with local production through direct contracting, according to reports from a private news channel citing government sources.

The strategic shift was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Officials decided that rather than relying on foreign manufacturers, the province will support domestic production to boost local industry and reduce dependency on imports.

A dedicated manufacturing facility is already under development in Faisalabad, where the first phase will involve the assembly of electric buses using imported components.

Over time, the plan is to transition toward full-scale local manufacturing, which is expected to conserve foreign reserves and generate employment opportunities across Punjab.

To ensure global quality standards, the government will seek technical support from a well-known international firm with expertise in electric vehicle production.

It’s important to mention that 27 electric buses imported earlier from the Chinese company Yutong are already operating successfully in Lahore, laying the groundwork for future expansion.