ISLAMABAD: Renowned ride-hailing Uber Tuesday announced ceasing the operation of its app in Pakistan saying that its subsidiary brand Careem will continue to operate in the country.
Uber’s spokesperson said in a statement that the company has made the decision to cease operating the Uber app in Pakistan. Its subsidiary brand Careem will continue to operate, with the Careem app offering ride-hailing services across the country.
The development comes as Uber, back in 2022, had announced scaling back its operations in Pakistan and limiting it to Lahore — which it has continued till now.
The company had said back then that it had made the decision to cease operating the Uber app in Multan, Faisalabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Islamabad.
Uber Acquires Careem
Uber acquired its then Middle East rival Careem for 3.1 billion dollars in March 2019.
Under the agreement, Careem became a wholly owned subsidiary of Uber but continues to operate independently with its own services, branding, and separate app.
Meanwhile, drivers associated with Uber have the option to sign up for Careem Rides and continue to operate their independent transportation businesses.
The decision, according to the company, was in line with Uber’s international growth strategy, focusing on markets where it has opportunities for sustainable growth.
As of now, Careem operates in ten cities across Pakistan: Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Abbottabad, and Quetta.
