The Punjab caretaker government made important announcements yesterday regarding electric and traditional two and three-wheelers in the region. Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi revealed plans to provide 10,000 electric bikes for university students through the Bank of Punjab (BOP), as well as 2,000 bikes for women, 2,000 for handicaps, and 2,000 interest-free e-rickshaws. Additionally, the government granted Sazgar Engineering the first-ever e-rickshaw manufacturing license. Furthermore, the government made a significant development announcement for the three-wheeler rickshaws, locally known as Qingqi rickshaws.
To recap, the government banned these 3-wheelers in December 2023. Caretaker Punjab Minister for Transport Ibrahim Hassan Murad declared the ban, citing illegal manufacturing and the need for regulation. This is part of a broader plan to eliminate unapproved rickshaws, with a 30-day warning issued initially.
The minister stressed the crackdown on those producing illegal motorcycles and loader rickshaws. The focus is on unapproved rickshaws, with a future ban on local manufacturing and the regularization of rickshaw manufacturing companies.
Recent Announcement
The government has now announced the initiation of the registration of retrofitted three-wheelers. “We are going to initiate the Qingqi Rickshaw Body Standard Program under the transport department’s efforts to register Qingqi rickshaws—a task previously deemed impossible,” Naqvi said.
This is great news for the owners and drivers of these vehicles, as they are mainly operated by the lower middle-class section of society, with thousands of people relying on them in the city. Registering these three-wheelers will address issues such as underage driving, elevate manufacturing standards, and regulate their presence on the roads, which currently poses risks for other commuters.
The registration will ensure the employment of these drivers with regular inspections and legal protection, resolving a number of issues for them. Additionally, registration will bring the manufacturing industry into the tax net, a win for the government.
What are your thoughts on the registration of Qinqchi rickshaws? Please share in the comments section.
