Uber has pledged to invest an additional $500 million towards expanding its operations in Pakistan, a week after Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty took charge of the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa division.

The Uber team and Gore-Coty met with the Chairman Federal Board of Investment Dr Miftah Ismail, on Thursday in Islamabad to discuss the expansion of Uber in Pakistan by investing $500m by 2020, a press release issued by the ride-hailing service.

“We will continue to work closely with the government as Pakistanis benefit from reliable, affordable and safe transportation like Uber,” said Gore-Coty about Uber’s investment plans.

He said Uber is committed to creating thousands of work opportunities and overall economic empowerment for Pakistanis.

Gore-Coty termed Pakistan a “key market for Uber” as the reason behind the “significant investment to the country.”

With a network operational in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Hyderabad, the ride-sharing app's additional investment will aim to expand its network by reaching untapped cities and enhance Uber's customer services programme.

Dr. Ismail, Chairman Federal Board of Investment said: “Pakistan has a strong economy and a rising middle class that can benefit tremendously from Uber's innovative technology. Since March 2016, Uber has been operating in Pakistan, providing affordable and reliable transportation while creating tens of thousands of economic opportunities for Pakistanis,” he added.

“Uber has been committed to growing its footprint in Pakistan since its launch last year, creating thousands of economic opportunities in the process,” Gore-Coty said about Uber's presence.