Popular ride-hailing app Uber is shutting down services in several major cities of Pakistan. The ride-sharing app has just announced that it will no longer operate in five cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, and Peshawar. The discontinuation is effective starting today.
From now on, if you try using the Uber app in any of the aforementioned cities, it will inform you that it is no longer available in your city. Instead, it tells you to book a ride using Careem, which was acquired by Uber back in 2020.
Take a look at the screenshot below.
The same prompt may not appear for everyone, but options for booking a ride will be greyed out for some. Trying to book a ride will now give you a message that says “Unfortunately, Uber is currently unavailable in your area”.
However, Uber reminds its users that the service is still operable in Lahore. Here is what the company says:
For the past five years, we are grateful to have been part of your everyday life to help you move around those five cities using the Uber app. See you in Lahore!
We reached out to Uber for more details. The company has clarified that the app will continue to operate in Lahore and there will be “new product launches” to support people during difficult times.
Additionally, drivers will also be compensated for the sudden discontinuation.
As a goodwill gesture, we have waived all driver partner arrears owing to Uber and are offering a one-time goodwill payment to eligible drivers. Eligible drivers have received all information related to this gesture.
Here is what Careem had to say on the matter.
We are focussed to our purpose of simplifying and improving lives in the country. We strongly believe in our Super App vision, and a successful ride-hailing business is fundamental to it. Careem continues to serve customers in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad and Peshawar, confidently, in addition to 5 other cities where we operate.
