Careem adds bike-hailing service to its fleet

They brought Shoaib Akhtar as a brand ambassador for the company

Careem Pakistan launched its Bike service at an event at the Karachi Press Club on Friday.

The ride-hailing giant also brought on iconic fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar as a brand ambassador for the company. Careem has made serious inroads in the country dominating the ride-hailing market after launching a few years ago.

"Careem has started this initiative as a way to combat unemployment," said star cricketer Shoaib Akhtar when speaking to The Express Tribune.



"The basic aim is to provide rozi roti (bread and butter) to those who are at a 9-5 job and have a couple of hours on their hands. They can avail this service and earn extra cash for themselves," he said, lauding Careem's efforts.

"Motorcycle and cricket have a unique connection," Akhtar went on to explain why this particular event is close to his heart. "Almost all the cricketers travelled on a bike, it was the only luxury we had back then as the grounds were far away, in remote areas, so the only way to get to them was through a bike," reminiscing about his early cricketing days.

Muhammad Sualeh, a Careem captain for the Bike service also told The Express Tribune that they had been provided with adequate training before stepping on the field.

Akhtar rode a motorcycle from Press Club to Sindhi Muslim avenue to show his support for the service and to kick-start the event.



"With the Careem Bike, we offer people dependable transport service at very low rates. anyone with a motorbike can apply to become a Careem captain and start earning a good income,” according to Careem Pakistan's Managing Director, Junaid Iqbal.

The Bike rides are currently available in Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi with an average ride costing around Rs 70 with Careem looking to provide employment to at least 1 million people by 2020.