Sindh Govt Launches Pink Taxi Scheme for Women’s Safety

The Sindh government is preparing to launch a Pink Taxi service exclusively for women in Karachi and other major cities, as part of its broader effort to provide safe, affordable, and reliable transportation for female commuters. The announcement was made on Thursday by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, during a ceremony where free electric Pink Scooters were distributed to women.

Pink Taxi Scheme for Women

Speaking at the event, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced that the Pink Taxi project will be formally launched soon and will specifically cater to women passengers. He stressed that the initiative is not just about transport, but about providing women with dignity, independence, and security in their daily lives.

“This is only the beginning,” Bilawal said while addressing the audience. “Very soon, we will hold another event to introduce Pink Taxis for women. These initiatives will make Sindh the first province to offer a complete women-specific transport system.”

The Pink Taxi fleet will operate with female drivers wherever possible, giving commuters a greater sense of safety and comfort. The scheme is expected to especially benefit students, working women, and female entrepreneurs who face mobility challenges in urban areas.

During the ceremony, Bilawal personally handed over keys of free electric Pink Scooters to women. He said the government had designed this initiative to make daily commutes easier for women, particularly those from middle- and lower-income groups who often struggle with transportation costs and safety concerns.

The scooters are being provided as part of a subsidized transport scheme, with the aim of reducing dependency on overcrowded buses or expensive private rides. The project also highlights Sindh’s push toward eco-friendly transportation, as the scooters are fully electric and produce zero emissions.

Previous Initiatives for Women’s Mobility

The Sindh government has already introduced several transportation reforms, positioning itself as a pioneer province in gender-focused public services.

Pink Bus Service – Launched earlier in Karachi, the Pink Bus is exclusively for women passengers and has become a trusted transport option for hundreds of daily commuters.

Electric Bus Fleet – Sindh was the first province in Pakistan to introduce eco-friendly electric buses, with routes covering major areas of Karachi.

Student Transport Programs – Various subsidized bus and rickshaw schemes have been rolled out to support students, particularly young women, in reaching schools and universities safely.

Bilawal said the Pink Taxi service is a natural extension of these programs and demonstrates the government’s commitment to safe and sustainable transport.

Bilawal used the occasion to reaffirm that women’s empowerment is central to Sindh’s development agenda. He said Pakistan cannot progress in any sector unless women are given equal opportunities in education, employment, and mobility.

“Without empowering women, Pakistan cannot move forward,” Bilawal stated. “We are determined to break barriers and provide opportunities so women can play their rightful role in society.”

He stressed that mobility is a key enabler of empowerment—when women can travel safely, they can access jobs, schools, markets, and healthcare without depending on others.

The announcement has generated positive feedback from civil society groups, women’s rights activists, and urban commuters. Many have welcomed the government’s recognition of women’s daily struggles with harassment and limited transport options.

Experts, however, have urged authorities to ensure that the Pink Taxi scheme is implemented transparently and does not remain limited to pilot projects. They stressed the importance of:

• Ensuring affordability for working-class women

• Training female drivers to encourage gender-friendly service delivery

• Maintaining the quality and safety of the vehicles

• Expanding the scheme from Karachi to other urban centers such as Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana

If successful, the Pink Taxi service could become a model program for other provinces and cities in Pakistan.

Transportation experts say that initiatives like Pink Taxi and Pink Scooters could significantly ease the mobility crisis in urban Pakistan. According to surveys, women often report skipping work, classes, or health appointments because of unsafe or unreliable transport.

By offering dedicated, secure, and eco-friendly vehicles, the Sindh government can:

• Reduce dependency on private ride-hailing apps

• Support green urban planning with electric vehicles

• Encourage more women to join the workforce

• Improve Karachi’s urban transport ecosystem

These outcomes are in line with Pakistan’s commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly gender equality (SDG 5) and sustainable cities (SDG 11).

The Sindh government’s upcoming Pink Taxi service for women is more than just a transport scheme—it represents a policy shift toward inclusivity, empowerment, and sustainable development. Building on earlier projects like the Pink Bus and electric scooter distribution, the initiative underscores the province’s leadership in promoting women-friendly public transport.