In a surprising turn of events, Uber, the global ride-hailing giant, has announced its departure from Pakistan. The company’s spokesperson confirmed the news, stating that Uber’s operations in the country will be discontinued.
However, it’s not all gloom for the ride-hailing patrons in Pakistan. Careem, Uber’s subsidiary brand, will continue to serve the Pakistani market. The Careem app will remain functional, providing ride-hailing services across the country and creating job opportunities for drivers.
The transition isn’t entirely unexpected. Back in 2019, Uber acquired Careem for a whopping $3.1 billion. Despite the acquisition, both companies decided to maintain their regional services and independent brands.
Previously, in October 2022, Uber had already ceased operations in Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Islamabad. The company chose to operate in these cities via Careem, while continuing its services in Lahore through the Uber app.
However, as of April 30, Uber has decided to discontinue its services in Lahore as well. An email notification was sent to the users in Lahore, informing them about the decision. The email assured users that ride-hailing services will still be available through Careem, promising a seamless experience.
As part of the transition, Careem may reach out to users for sign-up. Users who wish not to share their details with Careem are advised to fill a form by May 3, 2024. For those with an existing Uber Cash balance in their Uber Wallet, the company will soon communicate the process for reclaiming the balance.
As a goodwill gesture, users are being offered a 50% discount on five rides with Careem. Users in Lahore attempting to access the Uber app were greeted with the message: “Uber no longer in Lahore”, along with the information about availing the discount on Careem rides using the code LHR50.
