Careem launches test services in Peshawar, Hyderabad and Faisalabad

Move extends company’s presence to six cities in Pakistan

LAHORE: In a bid to continue its aggressive expansion programme, Careem -a Middle East-based ride-hailing service -on Monday launched its test operations in three new cities of Pakistan; Peshawar, Hyderabad and Faisalabad.

The move extends Careem’s presence in Pakistan to 6 destinations, while taking its overall tally to more than 50 cities across the broader Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region, including Turkey.

Careem already operates in the capital Islamabad and in Pakistan’s two most populous cities- Karachi and Lahore.

Careem CEO and Co-founder Mudassir Sheikha said, “Our main focus is to broaden and deepen our presence across the wider region, which comes on the back of Careem’s phenomenal growth in the past four years.

“Testament to our continued expansion and ambitions for further growth is the recent $350 million tranche of investment in our company,” said Sheikha.

Careem will launch with two car types in the new cities -economy in Hyderabad and Peshawar, and business in Faisalabad -answering the growing demand for safe and reliable services in these fast-growing cities.

“Pakistan is an important strategic market for Careem and one in which our convenient, affordable transportation options have a significant impact on people’s lives,” Sheikha added.

Careem users in Peshawar, Hyderabad and Faisalabad will have access to complete information about their captains who drive them around the destination, along with access to a 24x7, dedicated call centre manned by a multi-lingual team of 200 employees.

Last month, Careem announced a landmark funding of $500 million in the company with $350 million already secured from new and existing investors.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2017.

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