MENA Region’s Leading App-Based Car Service Comes to Pakistan

The leading app-based car service in the Middle East and North Africa, Careem, has officially launched in Pakistan. Since its inception, the company has grown rapidly by over 30 percent across core markets. In Pakistan, the app based itself out of Lahore, and soon expanded to Karachi. Careem is also planning further expansion through partnerships with governments and regulatory bodies in order to create greater employment opportunities and improve lives.

With a 60 million US dollar investment by the Abraaj Group, the development of this service has been accelerated in the region, with a total of 20 cities in the MENA region covered, and more to come. This development bodes well for the future of the region and Pakistan’s growing technology sector.

MENA Region’s Leading App-Based Car Service Comes to Pakistan

The relatively new company, founded in 2012 by former management consultants, aims to provide affordable transport to city dwellers, and provide them with the greatest ease and reliability in travel. Offering car booking via a straightforward application, or a phone call, this is a welcome addition to public transport in Pakistan.

The convenience and flexibility offered is what makes this service stand out in particular. In Pakistan, without a car, it is often very difficult to get from point A to point B. People who need to travel late at night, people who may want to just go for a meal or shopping with friends, individuals who need daily transport to work or meetings; now all have an easy solution.

Users have the option to make a simple phone call or just download the application and enter travel details into it. This gives both Smartphone users and regular phone users’ access to the service.  All customers are sent confirmation messages along the way to keep them updated.

Furthermore, details of the cars’ locations can be tracked in real-time so that users can both know when exactly the car will reach and be able to see the route they are travelling via. Payments can also be made with ease: via the internet, with cards; or with cash.

Customers also have access to a 24 hour global call centre to address any queries or concerns to. Additionally, with intensive background checks for their “captains” (including criminal record checks and address and CNIC verification) and thorough car inspections, the service promises security and dependability.

Careem has ensured that the price of this service is affordable for its Pakistani customers, without sacrificing on quality. With a successful launch in Lahore, and positive response from customers, it has been test launched in Karachi; covering the two busiest Pakistani cities.

The company plans to expand their network in Pakistan, with the investment mentioned earlier, and continue to provide their convenient and accessible service to the market.