Uber ends services in Lahore, Careem takes over

In a surprising turn of events, the renowned ride-hailing service Uber has officially ended its services in Lahore, marking its complete exit from the Pakistani market. This decision comes after Uber had already discontinued its operations in Islamabad, Karachi, Multan, and several other cities earlier in 2022. Despite initially continuing services in Lahore, the company has now abruptly halted its operations in the city without any prior notice.

A spokesperson from Uber explained that the company has made the strategic choice to discontinue the Uber app in Pakistan, while emphasizing that its subsidiary brand, Careem, will remain operational. Careem will provide ride-hailing services across Pakistan and offer earning opportunities for drivers. The decision to withdraw from Pakistan aligns with Uber's global growth strategy, which focuses on markets with sustainable growth potential.

As part of the transition, Careem is actively working to attract former Uber customers by offering a 50% discount on the next 5 rides using the code LHR50. Additionally, Uber users with remaining balances in their accounts need not worry, as the company has assured that refunds will be processed in due course. However, the timeline for these refunds remains unclear.

While Uber bids farewell to Pakistan, Careem will continue its operations in all major cities, including Multan, Faisalabad, Abbottabad, Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Quetta. The move signifies a shift in the ride-hailing landscape in Pakistan, with Careem poised to expand its presence and services to fill the void left by Uber's departure.