In a pioneering move, the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) in Karachi has successfully trained and graduated 18 women as the first female bus drivers in Pakistan. Launched on November 1, the groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance the representation of women in the public transport sector, aligning with the SMTA’s commitment to fostering a more diverse workforce.
The comprehensive program, conducted at the Motor & Highway Police drivers’ training school, included an orientation phase covering driving fundamentals and road safety rules using a driving simulator. Participants, mainly from Karachi, with one commuting from Hyderabad, underwent this training until mid-December. The practical component occurred at the Mehran bus depot, where trainees gained hands-on experience driving various buses, including electric, diesel-electric hybrid, green, and pink buses imported by the Sindh government.
Emphasizing inclusivity, two participants hailed from the underprivileged area of Lyari. The SMTA envisions employing the graduates not only for the female-only Pink buses but also for the upcoming sections of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Karachi.
Huma Ashar, the Gender Specialist at SMTA, highlighted the initiative’s broader scope, aiming to empower women in the mass transit system beyond gender-specific services. Once licensed to drive public service vehicles, the graduates are expected to contribute to various types of buses and the BRT service.
Political leader Sharjeel Inam Memon, from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), lauded the initiative on social media, attributing it to the PPP’s vision for the economic empowerment of women. Memon stressed the importance of increased women participation in the country’s economic workforce and expressed the PPP’s ongoing commitment to empowerment efforts, particularly for underprivileged segments. The program marks a significant stride towards gender equality, economic empowerment, and societal progress.
