Business
SBP offers interest-free financing for e-bikes, rickshaws: Here’s who qualifies | The Express Tribune
The State Bank of Pakistan launched an interest-free financing scheme for the purchase of electric bikes, rickshaws and loaders as part of efforts to boost energy efficiency and green technologies in the automotive sector.
Under the initiative, the federal government will provide a capital subsidy of up to Rs50,000 for two-wheelers and Rs200,000 for three-wheelers.
Banks will extend both conventional and Islamic financing facilities, capped at Rs200,000 for e-bikes and Rs880,000 for rickshaws or loaders. The maximum loan tenor will be two years for bikes and three years for rickshaws or loaders.
“The Federal Government has introduced a ‘Cost Sharing Scheme for Electric Bikes and Rickshaws/Loaders’ with a view to promote energy efficiency and transition to green technologies in the automotive sector,” the central bank circular read.
Read More: Women on wheels: Sindh distributes scooties under ‘Pink Scheme’
The scheme will cover financing for around 116,000 e-bikes and 3,170 e-rickshaws/loaders during FY2025-26 in two phases. In the first phase, 40,000 e-bikes and 1,000 e-rickshaw/loaders will be distributed. The second phase will include the remaining 76,000 e-bikes and 2,171 rickshaws/loaders.
To ensure inclusivity, 25% of e-bikes are reserved for women. Another 10% quota is allocated for those using e-bikes for courier or delivery services, while 30% of rickshaws/loaders are earmarked for fleet operators. Eligibility for fleet operators will be determined by a Steering Committee.
All Pakistani citizens, including those in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, can apply for e-bikes. Fleet operators may apply for rickshaws and loaders. Borrowers must make a minimum 20% equity contribution, though the subsidy may fully cover this portion. Any amount beyond the subsidy will be paid upfront by the borrower.
The bank pricing has been fixed at six-month KIBOR plus 2.75%, but the end-user rate will remain at 0% as the government covers the full mark-up subsidy. The Engineering Development Board has shortlisted manufacturers and models. Original Equipment Manufacturers will be responsible for timely delivery and after-sales service under the scheme.
Rs100b okayed for e-bikes, rickshaws
Last month, the government approved the first phase of a Rs100 billion scheme to provide electric bikes and rickshaws at a subsidised cost by collecting Rs122 billion from owners of conventional cars, aimed at increasing the number of environment-friendly vehicles to one-third.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved the first phase of the plan, which was designed to ensure the provision of 116,000 electric bikes and 3,170 rickshaws by offering up to Rs200,000 in interest-free loans and equity.
Chaired virtually by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the ECC also cleared a Rs30 billion subsidy to settle dues under the foreign remittances initiative from a backlog of Rs59 billion.
Also Read: High achievers from public colleges awarded e-bikes
A finance ministry statement said the ECC had approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production regarding the implementation of the subsidy scheme to promote the adoption of electric bikes and rickshaws.
Under the plan, about 116,000 electric bikes and 3,170 electric rickshaws and loaders would be introduced in two phases. In the initial phase, expected to be launched by the prime minister, 40,000 electric bikes and 1,000 electric rickshaws and loaders would be rolled out.
The government also approved the distribution of 219 free-of-cost electric bikes to the two top position holders in federal colleges across four disciplines. The maximum cost of the bike was capped at Rs250,000 under the scheme. The finance ministry said a budgetary provision of Rs9 billion had already been made for the current fiscal year to finance the initiative.
As part of new IMF loan conditions, the government had imposed a 1–3% levy on car owners in the budget, estimated to raise Rs122 billion from conventional fuel-based vehicle users.
Also Read: Govt to offer electric bikes on two-year instalments
Of this amount, Rs100 billion would be allocated to subsidies for promoting environment-friendly vehicles. The goal was to ensure that at least 30% of vehicles sold annually would be based on clean energy by 2030.
The scheme provided Rs50,000 in equity and Rs200,000 in interest-free loans for electric bikes. For three-wheeler rickshaws, the equity component was Rs200,000 and the interest-free loan Rs180,000. Every citizen between 18 and 65 years of age was made eligible for the scheme, with a 25% quota reserved for women.
Subsidised bikes and rickshaws were to be distributed according to provincial population, with Balochistan allocated an additional 10% quota adjusted against Punjab and Sindh.
The ECC also approved Rs30 billion in subsidies to clear the backlog of the foreign remittances initiative. The finance ministry said Rs30 billion would be released this quarter through a technical supplementary grant, with the remaining funds to be considered from savings in upcoming quarters.
Sindh distributes scooties under ‘Pink Scheme’
Earlier, Sindh also announced free electric scooters for women under the “Pink Scooters Program”. Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari handed over keys to women beneficiaries of the “Pink Scooty Scheme,” a government initiative in Sindh that provides free electric scooters to women.
The scheme, launched by the Sindh Transport Department, aims to improve women’s mobility and create greater access to transportation and employment opportunities across the province.
Eligible applicants must be permanent residents of Sindh, hold a valid driving license, and be either enrolled in an educational institution or employed. Beneficiaries must also agree not to sell or sublet the scooty for a minimum of seven years.
Business
BrewDog owners say craft beer company could be sold off
Craft beer brand BrewDog could be sold off after the company started the process to find new investors.
The Scottish beer brand recently announced plans to close all of its distilling brands, meaning it would no longer produce any of its spirits, including Duo Rum, Abstrakt Vodka, and Lonewolf Gin, at its distillery in Ellon, Aberdeenshire.
The company, which was founded in 2007, said it made the decision to focus on its beer brands, including the highly-popular Punk IPA, Elvis Juice, and Hazy Jane.
Now, in a statement, a spokesperson for BrewDog said the company had appointed Alix Partners to “support a structured and competitive process to evaluate the next phase of investment for the business.”
The statement said: “As with many businesses operating in a challenging economic climate and facing sustained macro headwinds, we regularly review our options with a focus on the long-term strength and sustainability of the company.
“Following a year of decisive action in 2025, which saw a focus on costs and operating efficiencies, we have appointed AlixPartners to support a structured and competitive process to evaluate the next phase of investment for the business. This is a deliberate and disciplined step with a focus on strengthening the long-term future of the BrewDog brand and its operations.”
Although no decisions have been made, a sale is under consideration.
In a statment BrewDog added: “BrewDog remains a global pioneer in craft beer: a world-class consumer brand, the No.1 independent brewer in the UK, and with a highly engaged global community. We believe that this combination will attract substantial interest, though no final decisions have been made.”
According to reports by Sky News, AlixPartners had begun sounding out prospective buyers in the last few days.
The company, which has 72 bars worldwide and four breweries in Scotland, the US, Australia, and Germany, said its breweries, bars, and venues will continue to operate as normal. It employs 1400 people across the organisation.
BrewDog’s founders James Watt and Martin Dickie are the company’s major shareholders alongside private equity company TSG, which invested £213 million in 2017, making it a 21 per cent shareholder.
In 2024, the beer brand grossed £357 million in sales, and it is a major independent brewer with 4 per cent market share in the UK grocery market.
Business
Craft beer brewer BrewDog could be broken up as sale process begins
Beermaker BrewDog could be broken up after consultants were called in to help look for new investors.
The Scotland-based brewer, which makes craft beer such as Punk IPA and Elvis Juice, has appointed consultants AlixPartners to oversee a sale process.
Last month, BrewDog announced it was closing its distilling brands, sparking concerns for jobs at its facility in Ellon, Aberdeenshire.
The company, which was founded in 2007, said it made the decision to focus on its beer products.
No decision has been made in respect of the sale process.
A spokesperson for BrewDog said: “As with many businesses operating in a challenging economic climate and facing sustained macro headwinds, we regularly review our options with a focus on the long-term strength and sustainability of the company.
“Following a year of decisive action in 2025, which saw a focus on costs and operating efficiencies, we have appointed AlixPartners to support a structured and competitive process to evaluate the next phase of investment for the business.
“This is a deliberate and disciplined step with a focus on strengthening the long-term future of the BrewDog brand and its operations.
“BrewDog remains a global pioneer in craft beer: a world-class consumer brand, the number one independent brewer in the UK and with a highly engaged global community.
“We believe that this combination will attract substantial interest, though no final decisions have been made.
“Our breweries, bars, and venues continue to operate as normal. We will not comment on any further speculation.”
Brewdog operates 72 bars around the world as well as four breweries.
Business
‘Better to abolish RERA’: Supreme court says law helping defaulting builders
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns over how real estate regulatory authorities are functioning across the country. Taking a sharp view, the top court said it may be “better to abolish” these bodies, suggesting they have failed to protect homebuyers and instead appear to benefit defaulting builders. The court added that states should reconsider the very need for such authorities if they are not serving their intended purpose.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said states should rethink the original purpose behind introducing RERA. The court observed that instead of protecting homebuyers, the law appears to be helping defaulting builders and not serving its intended role.
Expressing strong concern, CJI Surya Kant said states should reflect on the purpose for which RERA was created. He suggested the institution is failing to serve homebuyers and instead appears to benefit defaulting builders. “All states should now think of the people for whom the institution of RERA was created. Except facilitating builders in default, it is not doing anything else. Better to just abolish this institution,” CJI Kant said, quoted by Bar and Bench.
Last year, the High Court had stayed the state government’s decision to shift the RERA office, pointing out that the move was taken “without even identifying an alternative office location”. The court also noted that transferring 18 outsourced employees to other boards and corporations, as requested, “would render the functioning of Rera defunct”.
The Supreme Court, however, set aside the High Court’s order and allowed the state government to shift the RERA office to Dharamshala. It also permitted the relocation of the appellate tribunal to the same location. “With a view to ensure that persons affected by Rera orders are not inconvenienced, the principal appellate is also moved to Dharamshala,” the apex court said.
What Is RERA And Why It Matters
RERA, introduced in 2016, was aimed at addressing project delays, improving transparency and safeguarding homebuyers’ interests. Earlier, each state and union territory operated its own RERA website. However, in September 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched a unified RERA portal that brings together data from across states and UTs on a single platform.
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