KARACHI: Two new routes of the women-only Pink Bus service were formally launched by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah in a ceremony held at Seaview on Wednesday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sindh Information Minister Memon, who also holds the portfolio of transport, said that the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government had started the bus service across the province on the directives of the party leadership.

Mr Memon said that the facility was being extended for the convenience of our mothers, sisters and daughters so that they could reach to their destination in a modern commuting facility without harassment.

He said that this was a big initiative of the Sindh government towards women empowerment.

Women-only bus service begins operation on two new routes

In the first phase, the route was started in Karachi on a trial basis, but after a great response from the citizens, the service was launched in Hyderabad as well.

He said that two new routes — from Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi to Indus Hospital in Korangi and Numaish to Seaview — of the women-only bus service are being launched.

He said that the number of buses had also been increased on the first route from Model Colony to Tower.

The information minister said that the service would make easy for women to go to schools, colleges and offices.

He said that there was no separate bus service for women even in developed countries, and added that there are only 12 countries in the world which have separate bus service for women.

He said that Pakistan was one of the 12 such countries.

The minister said that the service would be extended to Sukkur, Larkana and every district so that women could have safe travel facilities.

One of the two newly launched routes of the women-only bus service starts from Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi and culminates at the Indus Hospital in Korangi via Nagan Chowrangi, Shafiq Mor, Gulshan Chowrangi, Jauhar Mor, COD, Drigh Road, Sharea Faisal, Shah Faisal Colony, Singer Chowrangi and Korangi No 5.

The second route of the bus service will start from Numaish Chowrangi and end at Seaview via M. A. Jinnah Road, Zaibunnisa Street, Metropole, Teen Talwar, Do Talwar, Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine, Dolmen Mall, McDonald and Clock Tower.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2023