PESHAWAR: A Peshawar-based private motorbike home delivery service has recently won $2200,000 Microsoft award for startups to scale up business and encourage small and medium enterprises with an objective to empower local economies by providing employment to youth and bring communities closer in a globally connected world.

Darewro, which is a Pashto word literally meaning ‘have it’, has a well-qualified and trustworthy team, which will perform many tasks for customers.

The Daewoo is also a recipient of several other awards and grant growth support from different institutions, including USAID, that enabled the service body to expand its business by 38 per cent during the last year, the founder told Dawn.

Through several innovations, Darewro, since inception, has made it earlier for Peshawar.

The startup Darewro is a business initiative founded in 2013 by young graduates of IMSciences, Hayatabad Peshawar with almost no seed money.

Zahid Khan, founder of the Motorbike Home Delivery Service (MHDS), told Dawn that he and his colleagues floated a unique idea to contribute to the society through their own vision instead of seeking government jobs.

Peshawar-based startup wins Microsoft Scale Up Award

He said the motorbike home delivery service helped promote around 600 small medium businesses in Peshawar city being operated mostly by around 1,500 women artisans and experts and engaged over 400 youth with salary package from Rs30,000 to Rs50,000.

“Our service provides free delivery to old citizens, sick, and special persons. I believe youth should create jobs for others as they have the ability to realize their dreams on their own instead of depending on others.”

Mr Zahid said Darewro was an innovative service making life easier.

“Darewro saves your time and money by sending, receiving and picking up items on your behalf. Now, you don’t need to go out of your home or office. Everything you need will be delivered on your doorstep,” he said.

He said Darewro was an on-demand delivery service that connected customers with local businesses.

“Through Darewro, you can purchase goods and have them delivered within specified time,” he said.

Mr Zahid said the facility picked, received and delivered different items including documents, grocery, medicines fruits, vegetable, foods, dresses, shoes and several other household things from outlets, restaurants, shops and boutiques within specified time ranging from 40 minutes to one hour and at less price.

“Why waste hundreds of rupees and hours of your precious time in the traffic for simple tasks Like Bringing clothes from your tailor, sending items through courier, bringing and submitting job application/admission forms or buying a specific item from a specific market or selling points,” he maintained .

Imran Khan, a young rider, told Dawn that he earned Rs25,000 per month and studied at a local University and that he would set up his own start up after completing his education.

Shafeeq Gigyani, a youth activist and one of the pioneers of the startup, said such quick home delivery not only saved precious time and money but also multiplied job opportunities for educated youth.

Regarding future plans, he said there was a strong demand from other cities and he would soon launch a similar service.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2021