In Phase 1, the plan includes 500 buses for the first year, of which 50 are already in operation, the provincial government said in a statement after the cabinet meeting.

Phase 2 would add another 1,500 buses while the third phase would deploy between 4,000 and 6,000 buses over the next four years. This phase would also involve the development of charging infrastructure, depots, and bus stations.

A solar plant with a capacity of up to 1GW is anticipated to be completed by the end of Phase 3.

On May 30, 2024, a pilot project for 50 electric buses (12 metres each) on a rent-to-own model was approved.

The National Energy & Transport Corporation would supply the buses at a specified cost per kilometre, with the buses currently operational on four major routes in Karachi.

The cabinet also approved a contract between the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) and NETC for 100 electric buses on the same basis.

The cabinet would allocate Rs412.50 million for the last quarter of fiscal year 2025 and Rs1.65 billion annually for eight years for monthly payments.

Recruitment of teachers and changes in education board laws

The Sindh provincial cabinet announced the approval of the Teaching License Policy in 2023.

In March 2024, a test was conducted by the Sukkur IBA for both fresh candidates and in-service teachers, with 4,000 candidates participating. The rigorous assessment resulted in only 646 candidates achieving at least 50 marks in both content and pedagogy sections.

At least 700 posts for Elementary School Teachers at BS-16 have been created specifically for those holding teaching licenses.

Amendments to the Sindh Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education Bill -2024 and the Sindh Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Ordinance 1972 were discussed.

The government would have the authority to remove board members and would not provide benefits or allowances to them.

The chairman would serve a three-year term, be eligible for reappointment, and would be appointed by the controlling authority through direct recruitment or transfer from BPS-19/20 cadre officers.

Read more

IBA qualified teachers can now be part of education system

Ministry announces designated routes of Pink Bus service

Pakistan’s ‘first electric bus’ goes for test run in Karachi

Joint venture for railway track from Thar coal to Karachi

The Sindh cabinet has authorised a 50:50 joint venture with the Ministry of Railways and the Government of Sindh, amounting to Rs 75 billion, to construct a railway line stretching 105 km from Islamkot (Thar Coal) to Chhor and an additional 9 km from Bin Qasim to Port Qasim.