Sindh govt distributes 300 pink e-scooters on women's day

The Sindh government distributed 300 pink electric scooters on the occasion of International Women’s Day in Karachi on Sunday.

Addressing the event, Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon extended greetings to women and highlighted their role in society. “Without women, we would not exist. International Women’s Day is not only a day for women but also for everyone who has given birth to a woman,” he said.

The minister said women had long been neglected in society but added that Benazir Bhutto created a new history by empowering women. “Under the leadership of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, women proved that they have the full potential to run the country,” he said.

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He said women in Sindh were provided various opportunities and quotas, adding that Faryal Talpur had contested on a general seat, while Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Shazia Marri had also won elections on general seats.

 “The Sindh government has started a Pink Bus Service for women, where women drivers have also been deployed. This unique facility is rarely seen in the world,” he said.

Memon said the provincial government was launching a programme to provide five million scooties to women without any recommendation or slip. “A permanent driving licence and proof of education or employment will be required to obtain a scooty, while women are also being provided free driving training,” he said.

He said the initiative aimed to reduce travel difficulties and petrol expenses for women and promote empowerment in society. “The aim of the Pink Scooty Programme is to empower women and bring positive change in society,” he added.

Memon said the historic steps taken by the Pakistan Peoples Party for the development and empowerment of women would always be remembered. “The establishment of the First Women Bank, the first police station for women and the Lady Health Workers Programme were also introduced by the PPP,” he said.

He added that the Benazir Income Support Programme was the largest social welfare project in the country’s history and had gained international recognition during the tenure of former president Asif Ali Zardari.

Memon also said women were playing an increasing role in economic activities, including in Tharparkar, where women were working as dumper drivers involved in coal extraction.

“We want to make women self-sufficient and bring positive change in the mindset of society,” he said.

Referring to global tensions, he said the achievement of making Pakistan a nuclear power belonged to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, while the credit for providing the country with missile technology went to Benazir Bhutto.

The ceremony was attended by Sindh ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani and Qasim Siraj Soomro; Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Murad; Transport Secretary Asad Zamin; members of the PPP Ladies Wing, women lawmakers, social figures and others.

Speakers at the event also included Shahina Sher Ali, Nafisa Shah, Sharmila Farooqui, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Managing Director of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority Kanwal Nizam Bhutto, among others.