ISLAMABAD: There has been a noticeable rise in the number of female motorcycle riders in Pakistan, as many women are choosing two-wheelers for greater independence, affordability, and flexibility, says a report carried by Gwadar Pro.
These increasing numbers have elevated demand for motorcycles, riding gear and training and are shifting cultural perceptions around women riders.
The Sindh government has rolled out the Pink Electric Scooters Scheme through the Sindh Mass Transit Authority, marking a significant step toward women’s empowerment and greener urban mobility.
The scheme offers free e-scooters to women, prioritizing widows, single mothers, working women, and students.
The scooters being distributed under the scheme are locally assembled in Pakistan through a Pakistan–China joint venture between OKLA, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, and Ravi Sundar, a long-established Pakistani automotive company.
This collaboration ensures that the scooters are not only based on Chinese technology and expertise but are also produced in Pakistan, positioning the country as a growing hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the region.
Keys to the scooters were distributed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who underscored that women’s participation is central to Pakistan’s progress.
He highlighted Sindh’s pioneering role in sustainable transport, citing the launch of electric buses, the Pink Bus Service, and now the Pink Scooty Scheme.
Bilawal also announced an upcoming Pink Taxi project, which will provide women with both safe travel options and new employment opportunities.
Quoting Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he said, “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless women stand side by side with men.”
One of the scheme’s beneficiaries described the initiative as a meaningful step toward equity and progress, noting that the scooters symbolize empowerment, sustainability, and safer cities for women.
For many students and working women, mobility is not just about traveling from one place to another; it is about dignity, opportunity, and the freedom to shape their futures.
Founded in 2015 in Taizhou, China, OKLA is an electric vehicle manufacturer that has expanded its footprint across several regions, including the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In 2024, the company set up its first assembling facility outside China in partnership with Pakistan’s Ravi Sundar, marking a step toward developing local capacity for electric vehicle production.
Company representatives said that their participation in the Pink Scooty Scheme reflects a commitment to supporting sustainable transport and enhancing women’s mobility in Pakistan.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also acknowledged the support of KFC Pakistan, which is assisting in rider training and licensing, and he called on other private-sector stakeholders to adopt similar partnership models.
