KARACHI: The government of Sindh is set to introduce the Pink Taxi Scheme exclusively for women as an expansion of its electric vehicle transportation scheme. The news was released by Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon at the Sindh Assembly, explaining that it is a natural progression of the efforts of the province in regard to empowering women.
According to the Pink Taxi Scheme Sindh, a set of pink taxis will be running in order to provide service to women only. The provincial government is planning to announce all the aspects of the project very soon.
Fleet Constructed for the Safety and Convenience of Women
Pink Taxi Project of Sindh is a direct extension of what was started through the Pink Scooter project. According to Minister Memon, the taxis would operate under the province’s wider plan for the deployment of electric vehicles which made Sindh the first province of Pakistan to use electric buses in the streets.
By placing the Pink Taxi Scheme in the framework of the EV system, the government highlights a double agenda: moving towards green transportation on one hand, while ensuring the safety of women through women-only transportation on the other hand.
Scooter Scheme Attracts Complaints Government Responds
The minister was not afraid to speak up regarding complaints made against the Pink Scooter initiative. Members of the opposition pointed out that there were very few scooters available for distribution after the start of the initiative. While Memon appreciated their feedback, she explained that there were only 150 licensed female drivers at the time.
He also stated that complaints against male members of the family, in particular sisters’ brothers, using the pink scooters provided through the program have reached the authorities. Traffic police have been instructed to deal strictly with men found using the scooters meant for women beneficiaries.
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Learner Licence Numbers Indicate Much More
The most noteworthy statistic mentioned by Memon was the rise in the number of women who applied for their driving licences due to the Pink Scooter Scheme. Around 25,000 women have already applied, which is a huge jump from just 150 when the scheme began.
Pink Taxi Scheme Sindh comes at a time when there is an obvious increase in mobility needs of females in the province. As per Memon, the government plans to increase supply in order to meet the demands, stating that the province will ensure provision of scooters for all eligible women irrespective of their numbers, which could even go up to 100,000.
Sindh Reports Highest Tax Growth in Country
While discussing transport issues, Minister Memon took the opportunity to talk about the overall economy of Sindh province. He reported that the Sindh Revenue Board achieved the highest growth in tax collection in the country with a revenue growth of 24 percent compared to 10 percent by the Federal Board of Revenue.
Meaning of the Pink Taxi Scheme for Women in Sindh
The Pink Taxi Scheme Sindh is not only about transport, but it is a response to a challenge faced by women on a daily basis that restricts their access to work, education, and public spaces within urban and semi-urban areas of Sindh. Safe and women-only transport gives women greater access to places.
As there are already 25,000 applications for driving licences being processed by the Provincial government, and an electric taxi system is under consideration for the women to use in the province, the mobility project for the women in Sindh is picking up speed.
Nayab Fatima is a media professional specializing in fact-based journalism, research, and analytical reporting on technology, telecom, aviation, and automobiles.
