In a significant step towards women’s empowerment and sustainable mobility, the district administration of Sialkot, with the support of the local business community, has launched a scheme to provide electric bikes (e-bikes) to female teachers.
Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali told Dawn that the initiative is part of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision to ensure safer and more dignified travel facilities for working women. The plan includes not only distributing e-bikes but also providing training and assistance in obtaining driving licences.
Strong Response from Teachers
According to the DC, applications have been invited from female teachers across Sialkot, with August 10 set as the deadline. So far, 650 teachers have already applied, showing the overwhelming demand for such a facility.
The e-bikes will be distributed through a computerised draw, with an age limit of 35 years for applicants. Both regular and contract-based teachers are eligible. Special priority will be given to widows, divorced women, and those who are the sole breadwinners of their families.
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Ms. Saba added that on Independence Day, 14 female teachers were gifted e-bikes as a symbolic launch of the project. “These bikes will not only improve teachers’ mobility but also help reduce environmental pollution,” she said.
A Lifeline for Working Women
The initiative is strongly welcomed by the student, calling it both timely and much needed. Maryam Iqbal and Hania Daniyal, two schoolteachers, said that rising inflation and the high cost of transport were making daily travelling process increasingly difficult.
“Public transport is unreliable, and women often encounter harassment during travel. These e-bikes will give us safety, dignity, and independence,” they remarked.
Building a Sustainable Future
Local donors have played a major role in supporting the project, which is expected to expand if successful. Educationists keep on believing that the scheme will not only make teachers’ lives easier but also set a pace for other districts to follow.
For many women in Sialkot, the initiative is not just about vehicle but depicts freedom, respect, and a right approach towards greener mobility.