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Frustrated commuters take to Twitter to support Careem and Uber after proposed ban

Safe and reliable transport is a huge issue in Pakistan, and the people are starting to speak out

Updated 31 Jan, 2017

Pakistan isn't ready to say 'bye' to Careem and Uber.

Earlier today, news broke that both ride-hailing apps could face a ban by the Punjab government and the Sindh government may soon follow suit.

Careem and Uber are widely regarded as a boon for commuters in urban Pakistan, where safe, reliable and cost-effective public transportation is severely lacking.

It's no wonder that Twitter erupted in sheer panic.

Some people shared stories of how Careem and User made their daily lives better:

Some called out the government's double standards for claiming that Careem and Uber are being banned because they aren't vetted for safety:

There are some that smell foulplay.

Others relied on humour to get the point across:

Some wondered about their 'balance':

Some wondered why we can't just enjoy the good things in life.

Even celebs chimed in:

Comments

tmk Jan 31, 2017 05:07pm

Our politicians can't tolerate that any facilities to be given to common people. When Government can not provide the transportation then it should encourage the private sector but here things are other way around.

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Khan Jan 31, 2017 05:10pm

Peoples of Pakistan need Public Transport full stop, which the govt. is not in the mode to provide...

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Harmony-1© Jan 31, 2017 05:20pm

@TMK - They were just jealous and getting protective about their orange, yellow, or whatever they are called trains!

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Sheikh Waqar-ul-Hassan Jan 31, 2017 05:25pm

GOP & Co. work on the strategy to keep the people tense and restless. This benefits the corrupt lot to work as they like.

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Amjad Jan 31, 2017 05:27pm

There must be an economic and legal justification if the ban was necessary. Further, if the consumers are satisfied with the alternate transport service then it is not understandable what has prompted the government's move. In the absence of justification common people will be compelled to believe "hidden hand" of interest groups and the transport mafia working against the public.

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Just Someone Jan 31, 2017 05:31pm

Is this govt. listening to all this online chatter?

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Shah2u Jan 31, 2017 05:35pm

Shame on the Punjab Govt. This ban is just because of METRO.

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Abdullah Jan 31, 2017 05:35pm

This is totally wrong..........TAXI mafia and transporters MAFIA at work for sure.......Uber and Careem should send the vehicle details to the provincial transport authorities and challenge the BAN in a court.......They should change the so called LAWS to favor the common man......i am a public servant and i TOTALLY DISAGREE with the govt stance.......

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Khalid Jan 31, 2017 05:43pm

The only reason to ban is that the relevant people in Punjab and Sindh Govt are not getting their fair cuts from profits of these coys. Suggest Uber and Careem should know how to do business in Pakistan, must offer 30% profit share to concerned persons

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Syed Ahmed, Canada Jan 31, 2017 05:44pm

Please let Careem and Uber do their business.

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Be Fair Jan 31, 2017 06:42pm

Private transport is mostly owned by retired/ on duty police officials,and they just can't afford any competitors in the field. It's time for people to support Careem,and Uber,while some lawyer may file case in court to defend Careem & Uber.

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Be Fair Jan 31, 2017 06:53pm

@Abdullah .You are right.Unfortunately here people are forced to live under MAFIAS, like Water Tanker Mafia often burst the water lines to promote their businesses,Land Mafia grabs land, Bhata Mafia takes bhata from encroachers on street,Parking Mafia,Chowkidar Mafia you have to pay him monthly,although he comes in nights of 29,30,31 of each month,and wake you up by his bad whistles.Likewise transport Mafia, have stakes of ex- policemen,and other dons of cities.You just can't free yourselves from so many mafias.

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Qaiser Jan 31, 2017 07:49pm

Isn't this same urban population which bemoans Metro??

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Syed Ali Jan 31, 2017 08:14pm

Government is looking for every activity that makes honest citizens penniless through taxes. When Uber or careem is taxed its fare will rise. Government should concentrate on mass transit at reasonable cost rather than be after Uber and Careem.

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Jalbani Baloch Jan 31, 2017 08:44pm

The Government of Sindh must take into account the difficulties of the people of Karachi, which they face on daily basis, due to the lack of efficient and affordable transport in this mega city. Though, the city is ranked as one of the most populous countries in the world, but unfortunately it has no effective transportation system, which could cope with the increasing number of people, hence, the people are left with no choice, but to travel on the rooftop of buses. The CM Sindh, who is a foreign educated man, has experienced the best transportation system in other countries of the world, should do something on priority basis and provide the city with efficient transportation system.

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Maher HASAN , Dallas , USA Feb 01, 2017 03:22am

Osama tweet tells it all. Not to mention the fate of women & children. Careem & Uber cars are 3 yr olds & with all the safety in tact. Uber & LYFT run all over the world & believe me safety laws of US, you know.

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Akil Akhtar Feb 01, 2017 04:30am

These businesses need to be regulated....cant just startup up anything without any governance and rules.

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Abdul Feb 01, 2017 05:48am

No public transport as part of CPEC?

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flipflop Feb 01, 2017 09:02am

People bashing the government for blocking such services have no idea why they have forced such businesses to suspend their operations. The ban had happened in several countries such as Canada, US etc and was temporary until necessary by laws have been created so that they can be brought in the tax net. Income earned from driving Uber means that its a taxable income amd such people should pay their fair share. Necessary by laws are being created to consider UBER as a service and This way Uber drivers would be paying taxes just like every other person in Pakistan.

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Imran ali Feb 01, 2017 09:04am

in Karachi unregistered rickshaws are running and their driver without license but no action just because they are sharing their income with the corrupt elements in the govt.

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flipflop Feb 01, 2017 09:08am

@Amjad the ban is temporary and government is seeking Uber to register as a service provider rather than register with taxi association. This registration will help bring Uber under a tax net and people will pay their fair share of tax on the oncome earned and Uber will pay tax on business income.

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BAXAR Feb 01, 2017 12:39pm

@Qaiser "Isn't this same urban population which bemoans Metro??" Absolutely. Metro is run with tax money taken from poor people (not using it), to finance the fare for those using it . This is not a model of progress. We'll be if the happy if beneficiaries pay the price, as they do for Uber and Careem. Why should poor people of Khushab pay for almost free luxury provided to people of Pindi, Lahore and Multan? Does it make sense? If Metro is tax exempted, those who provide better service without public money, should also be.

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Saif zulfiqar Feb 01, 2017 12:47pm

The public transport of Karachi belong to Police mafias. Karachi police does not allow any other person to do transport business . If anybody tries his buses will get 50 challah everyday.

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Ahmed ali Feb 01, 2017 01:13pm

We dont have any taxi service in karachi, the taxi we have is of 70 model car, if the sind govt banned uber and careem it would be very hard to commute in karachi.

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Saif zulfiqar Feb 01, 2017 01:41pm

Reminds me of Hasrat Jaipuri's song - Jaane kahan gaye wo din

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Amjad Feb 01, 2017 02:36pm

@flipflop I agree with the idea of registration and payment of taxes by the service provider. However, when the service was being commenced, the govt should have publicly announced a warning to the company and the drivers. At this time, they could have been given time to register their business. Further, Uber and Careem and others should be advised to share data of the drivers and the transactions. Simultaneously, there should be a crackdown on the unregistered taxis/Rakhshas/minibuses, being mostly run by "police mafia".

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Brar Feb 02, 2017 07:41am

@Jalbani Baloch I was astonished to know that Trams used ply in Karachi and they are still there on the roads of calcutta but vanished from Krachi ,

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Brar Feb 02, 2017 07:45am

@BAXAR spot on sir.

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