TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first app-based public electric EasyBike; an eco-friendly bike as a means of travel was inaugurated, here on Wednesday.

Easybikes will be a welcome addition to the growing problems of public transport, said Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Aminul Haq, while addressing the launch ceremony.

This eco-friendly bike will be a great convenience, especially for working women.

The Ministry of IT is the full facilitator of every project of public service and facilities, said, Haq, adding that they wanted electric rides to be a significant part of the Digital Pakistan Vision. Common people will benefit a lot from the easy bike facility, said Haq, adding that Easybike pilot project to be launched initially in Islamabad. They will be present around the metro stations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Easybike charges will be Rs5 per minute. Easybike service will be provided in all major cities within a year.

Deeming electric sharing bikes a game-changer for Pakistan, while addressing its launch ceremony, the federal minister noted the new technology will contribute to empowering women.

Aminul Haq said Pakistani women would be able to ride those bikes themselves which would help them become independent, referring to the public transport condition, which was male-dominated, and wherein, the women had long raised their grievances.

Pakistan was becoming home to new technologies every day, Federal Minister Haq said, and added that those e-bikes would be environment friendly in line with the need of the hour. Further expanding on e-bikes technology advent in Pakistan, Haq said this would bring in foreign investment in the country as the manufacturers would want to exploit the market potential.

Amid a rising pollution crisis, it’s great to see @ezBikePK, an eco-friendly bike being launched in Pakistan as a means of travel. There is no lack of talent in, as National Incubation Center is full of start-up ideas. We at the Ministry are dedicated in funding ideas for a more progressive Pakistan, he added.