The Punjab Police has opted to acquire several hundred electric bikes as a strategic response to the prevailing fuel shortage, aiming to curtail expenses by millions of rupees annually. The decision comes in the aftermath of a recent fuel crisis severely hampering police operations throughout the province. Dr. Usman Anwar, the Inspector General (IG) of Punjab Police, confirmed this course of action in discussions with a local media outlet.

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Dr. Anwar revealed that he had raised concerns about the fuel shortage affecting departmental operations with Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi. While Naqvi assured the release of necessary funds for conventional fuel procurement, he also proposed transitioning to electric vehicles. In line with the Chief Minister’s recommendation, the Punjab Police has committed to acquiring 200 electric bikes, with a designated budget of Rs. 30 million for this purpose.

It is noteworthy that the Punjab Police is grappling with a severe fuel shortage, endangering the operational capabilities of thousands of its vehicles. The crisis escalated following the caretaker government’s decision to substantially reduce the budget for petrol, oil, and lubricants (POL), coupled with an extension of the fiscal year’s quarter period by one month.