Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has officially inaugurated the Pink Buses Project, a transformative initiative under the Chief Minister Transport Programme for Women. This program introduces 76 specially designated buses aimed at providing safe and reliable transportation for female students attending colleges across the province. In the initial phase, 19 buses have been allocated to various women’s colleges, with the chief minister personally handing over the keys to the principals of these institutions.
During the inauguration, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inspected the buses and reviewed proposals to further enhance the transportation experience by introducing air-conditioned vehicles for female students. This initiative reflects a commitment to improving the educational environment for girls in Punjab.
According to Dr. Farrukh Naveed, the Punjab Higher Education Secretary, the Pink Buses Project will roll out in three phases, ultimately reaching a total of 76 colleges. The first phase focuses on providing transportation to 19 tehsils that have historically faced challenges in accessing reliable transport services.
These tehsils include for Pink Buses Project:
- Bhakkar | Sialkot | Chiniot | Kamalia | Hasilpur | Malakwal | Ferozewala | Shorekot | Jatoi | Fateh Jang | Hasan Abdal | Kot Momin | Jalalpur Pirwala | Kallar Syedan | Pindi Ghep | Manchanabad | Sharqpur
Looking ahead, the second phase of the Pink Buses Project is set to benefit colleges in Nowshera Virkan, Dina, Yazman, Pindi Bhattian, Lalian, Bhawana, Kot Addu, Taxila, Sarai Alamgir, and Pelaan.
Additionally, colleges in Allama Iqbal Town Lahore, Isa Khel, Raiwind, and Sohawa are scheduled to receive buses by February 2025. By April 2025, the project aims to deliver additional buses and 32 coaches to support students in 35 more tehsils.
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In a related development, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed relevant authorities to redesign the incentive package for foreign investors during her meeting with the Portuguese ambassador, emphasizing the government’s dedication to fostering an environment conducive to investment and growth.