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Paxi Pakistan drivers gear up for the streets of Karachi

Paxi Pakistan drivers gear up for the streets of Karachi

The women-exclusive cab drivers speak to Dawn about learning how to drive and being independent.
09 Mar, 2017

When Noor Jehan’s husband passed away five years ago, she was left alone to fend for herself and two little boys.

“I had only studied up to the fifth grade and didn’t know what to do till a friend of my father’s taught me how to drive,” she said while talking to Dawn.

Today, Noor Jehan is one of many women-exclusive cab drivers or pilots with Paxi Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, which were launched in the city on Wednesday.

Kiran Rao, another Paxi pilot, said that she was a civil engineering student. “My father taught me how to drive five years ago. Working as a cab driver will be great for me as it will help me continue with my education,” she said.

“My parents are also happy that this is a safe way to earn money as there are no men involved,” she added.

Another Paxi pilot, Farzana Taqi, said that she had done her matriculation and did not want to depend on anyone.

“I have three brothers, one of them taught me how to drive and all of them encourage me to go out in the world and do something,” she said, adding that “looks like I’m going to be doing just that.”

At their launch on Women’s Day, Paxi’s pilots were dressed in long black coats accessorised with pink scarves. They stood next to their pink vehicles proudly at the orientation which was held at the Boy Scouts and Girl Guide Headquarters on Wednesday. All the women had to undergo training for the job, according to their trainer Ambreen Zahid, who said that they would be driving Suzuki Every Vans and Nissan Clippers.

“The cars are all automatic and the trainees were used to changing the gears manually. So that took a bit of getting used to,” she said, adding that all of Paxi’s pilots had also been trained in handling different situations including emergencies, for which they were taught first aid.

Paxi Pakistan’s CEO Sheikh Mohammad Zahid said that he was glad that they were unveiling this service “for women and by women” on International Women’s Day. Thanks to Paxi, he said, women will no longer have to share space in public transport with strange men. He added that when women decided to step out of their homes, “this will no longer be an issue for them to hold back or think twice”.

Sindh Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Syed Nasir Hussain Shah was present at the event as the chief guest. Lauding the women-exclusive cabs, he said that it was a great idea and the service should be expanded to other cities of Sindh and the rest of the country. He added that the Sindh government was ready to lend its support to the initiative.

Karachi’s Deputy Mayor Dr Arshad Vohra was the guest of honour. He said that Paxi was a great service in view of the increasing numbers of working women in the city.

The cab service, which also includes regular taxis for everyone and motorcycle taxis for single commuters, can be accessed through a smartphone app, call centre, SMS or by hailing one on the road.

Paxi Pakistan will start running on the streets of Karachi on Pakistan Day (March 23).

Originally published in Dawn, March 9th, 2017

Comments

jaredlee67 Mar 09, 2017 10:27am
Good initiative, but a complete disconnect if seen within the context of Karachi where crime rate is very high. Do people (including women) feel safe in Karachi? So, what should be the priority, safety or introduction of Paxi? It is like letting people buy and drive cars when the roads either don't exist or are in a pathetic condition. These initiatives are good but are being used as a patchwork. Pakistanis first need to learn how to respect one another, let alone women. And the day they learn to respect women, things will change automatically. Paxi will not be catching attention of people then. Hope readers reflect on the aforementioned.
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Qamerunnisa Mar 09, 2017 12:13pm
appreciate the initiative. Hope it will sustain in the market.
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Saif zulfiqar Mar 09, 2017 12:44pm
Very sensible and safe for both , the drivers and the passengers. They should be supported.
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Ghulam Qadir Mar 09, 2017 12:49pm
Good Start .... and should have only room for decent people(females) ...............and should not be the tool of morally ill or corrupt people other wise our society will definitely reject it. Actually it is the need of time alot of women and families will feel secure to drive with female driver. There is less chance of morally corrupt persons because both the rider and driver are registered with the system which is linked with their cell nos so easily traceable. people should be aware that these days cyber laws are very effective in Pakistan. So avoid wrong doing in this field
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Hassan (Karachi) Mar 09, 2017 12:49pm
@jaredlee67, you are forgetting the second problem. The road system in Karachi is chocked with too many cars/motorcycles and the road system not capable of handle the traffic. We need a tram/train system running inside the city. In India and Japan, there are special compartments in the trains for women only. Just an example.
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My2Paisas Mar 09, 2017 12:53pm
It could also make the women passengers more vulnerable to criminal elements as it is known only women will board these vehicles.
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ak Mar 09, 2017 01:11pm
Would've been much better if it were launched in the Twin Cities.
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Thoroughthinker Mar 09, 2017 03:35pm
All women would need all women roads also to be true to their name. Otherwise, we know our crowd always happy to have quarrels with female drivers.
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Nasir Mar 09, 2017 03:50pm
Very encoutaging stories of up coming Paxi Pilots, women taking responsibilty of self supporting and helping their familyies financially . I hope the Paxis are airconditioned for the comfort of its pilots and women passengers dressed up and covered heavily in their clothing to combat Karachi heat and humidty. I hope the operators have reliable back up service available in case the Paxi breakdown on the road.
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ABA Mar 10, 2017 05:36am
Why we need two separate world for men and women? Can't our men be respectful to women?
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ibrar Mar 10, 2017 11:25am
The term pilot shoud remain for aircraft pilot not for car driver, same as for ship caption for ships
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Vish1 Mar 10, 2017 12:20pm
How would a woman driver (pilot) would know if the passenger in Burqa is indeed a women passenger? Would it not create a security risk for the driver?
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Simba Mar 10, 2017 03:10pm
Kudos to Noor Jehan, Farzana Taqi, Kiran Rao and others for foraying into this unconventional profession to support their families and gain financial freedom.
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Simba Mar 14, 2017 04:19pm
@Vish1 I guess it is about improving the safety of women passengers, and not necessarily that of the driver itself. Secondly, the question to ask is do women passengers actually feel safer travelling with a woman driver, or is it a myth.
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