Balochistan High Court Orders Expedited Work on Electric Feeder Buses and Saryab-Kuchlak Train Service Projects

QUETTA – A two-member bench of the Balochistan High Court, comprising Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulkhel and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal, has issued multiple significant directives to relevant provincial departments while hearing constitutional petitions concerning public transport, electric vehicles, pink scooties for female lawyers, the local bus stand, dilapidated buses, and travel difficulties faced by citizens in Quetta.

Electric Public Transport Scheme: Progress Report Within One Week

The court was informed by the Transport Department that the scheme to introduce electric vehicles as public transport and as an alternative to motor rickshaws has been revised, with a total cost of Rs 595.720 million. The scheme includes 37 EV stops, electric vehicle chargers, a 300 kW solar power system, and 16 rickshaw stands. The revised PC-I has been sent to the P&D Department and is to be presented at the upcoming PDWP meeting for approval. The court directed that upon receiving the department’s response, the project be presented at the next PDWP meeting and a progress report be submitted by the next hearing.

Pink Scooties for Female Lawyers: Distribution Process to Be Expedited

The court was informed that a scheme for providing pink scooties for female lawyers, shuttle carts, buses, and pink vans for transportation of lawyers from Kuchlak and Saryab has already been prepared. The scheme includes 100 electric pink scooties, two electric shuttle carts, two 9-meter diesel buses, two pink vans, and charging stations at three ports. While Rs 21.5 million has been spent on 100 electric pink scooties and Rs 8.50 million paid for two buses, delivery of two shuttle carts, two diesel buses, and two pink vans is still pending.

The court noted that the High Court Bar Association has completed the balloting process for beneficiary selection. To ensure transparent and proper utilization of public funds, the court ordered the formation of a special committee to review the entire selection and distribution process. The committee will be headed by President of the High Court Bar Association, Ataullah Lango, with the Advocate General Balochistan or their nominated Additional Advocate General serving as convener. The committee includes Bar General Secretary Najamuddin Agha, Transport Secretary Muhammad Hayat Kakar, petitioners Inam Khair and Sharmeen Rehman, Akram Shah Advocate, Shah Rasool Advocate, and AAG Salma Abdul Fateh. The court directed the committee to meet on September 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM and make a decision preferably within ten days. Distribution of pink scooties will commence immediately after committee approval and must be completed within three working days.

Local Bus Stand Land: Full Possession to Be Ensured

On the matter of land for the local bus stand, the court was informed that the project, estimated at Rs 441.650 million, was presented to the PDWP on June 16, 2025, and approved by the cabinet on January 19, 2026, for inclusion in PSDP 2026-27. However, delays occurred due to lack of proper reflection in the current PSDP. The court ruled that since land possession has been given to the Transport Department, its full protection and utilization must be ensured. The Transport Department was directed to ensure complete physical possession, with QDA providing full cooperation, and to deploy watchmen and construct boundary walls if necessary to prevent illegal encroachment.

27 Electric Feeder Buses for Quetta: Approval and Funds to Be Released Immediately

The court was informed that the scheme for 27 electric buses for feeder routes of the Green Bus Service has been approved for inclusion in PSDP 2026-27, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,492.425 million. The court directed the P&D Department to immediately issue necessary approvals so that the Finance Department can release funds and implementation can commence without further delay.

Saryab-Kuchlak People’s Train Service: Two Parlor Coaches to Be Delivered to Quetta Soon

The court was informed that the Saryab-Kuchlak People’s Train Service project has achieved approximately 95% physical and 80% financial progress. Two parlor coaches have been purchased and are ready at the Carriage Factory Islamabad, pending delivery to Quetta via Pakistan Railways. The court directed the Additional Attorney General to immediately contact the Divisional Superintendent Pakistan Railways Quetta Region and Chief of Transport Section Pakistan Railways Headquarters Lahore to ensure urgent delivery of the two coaches.

Traffic and Vegetable Market Issues: Report Sought

QDA’s counsel informed the court that a governing body meeting has been called to consult with the Transport Department regarding road construction, vegetable market plots, and traffic issues. The court directed a comprehensive report on the matter to be presented at the next hearing.

The court ruled that all relevant departments must ensure practical measures through mutual coordination to provide better, safer, and regular travel facilities to citizens, and avoid unnecessary delays in approved projects. The court also directed that copies of the order be sent to relevant officials through the offices of the Advocate General Balochistan and the Additional Attorney General. The court made it clear that any future non-compliance would require the concerned officer to appear personally before the court to provide an explanation.