Islamabad, February 20, 2026 (Agencies) — The federal capital has significantly expanded its electric public transport network as Mohsin Naqvi on Friday inaugurated a new fleet of electric buses along with a purpose-built depot and modern charging station.
The launch marks a major step in Islamabad’s transition toward sustainable urban mobility. With the latest induction, the number of electric buses operating across 21 routes in the city has increased to 160, strengthening the capital’s eco-friendly transport footprint.
Following the inauguration ceremony, the minister inspected the newly established depot and charging infrastructure and took a ride on one of the electric buses alongside senior officials. He was briefed in detail on fleet operations, depot management systems, and the integrated charging network.
Naqvi commended the project team for completing the infrastructure on schedule, highlighting that approximately 125,000 passengers are already using the electric bus service daily. He said authorities aim to increase daily ridership to 250,000 in the coming months. Special emphasis, he noted, has been placed on facilitating students by ensuring route coverage near educational institutions.
The interior minister also announced that the electric bus network will soon be extended to Rawat, improving connectivity between Islamabad and adjoining areas. The expansion is expected to integrate with the existing Metro Bus system to ease traffic congestion across the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
In addition, Naqvi confirmed that the Rawalpindi-Islamabad local rail service is being restored, while Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) is preparing to begin local manufacturing of electric buses, a move aimed at promoting domestic production and reducing import dependence.
Officials informed the minister that the newly constructed depot has the capacity to accommodate 64 charging units. Currently, 50 chargers have been installed, with 14 more to be added shortly. Each charger is capable of powering two buses within approximately two hours. The charging and fleet management system has also been integrated with Google for real-time monitoring, navigation, and operational optimization.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Inspector General of Islamabad Police, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, and other senior administrative officers. Authorities described the project as a key milestone in the city’s broader strategy to modernize public transport while reducing carbon emissions and improving commuter experience.