SHC issues notice to Careem for operating ‘illegally’

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday issued a notice to ride-hailing service Careem for operating ‘illegally,’

Hearing a petition filed by Ahsam Puri, the SHC said Careem was providing services without registering with the competent authorities. The petitioner contented that the ride-hailing service was not registered under Motor Vehicle Ordinance for commercial operations.

Earlier this week, Punjab and Sindh made moves towards curtailing the use of unregulated ride-hailing smartphone apps in their metropolises.

A Punjab transport department notification, which declared private cars working under the banner of Careem, Uber and A-One as ‘illegal’, surfaced on Tuesday.

Sindh authorities followed suit, saying they were seeking legal action against Careem and Uber while asking the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block their smartphone apps. However, PTA told the provincial government it lacks the power to block the ride-hailing apps. Later, due to severe backlash in the transport-starved city, Sindh Transport Minister Nasir Hussain Shah gave the two companies a month time to fulfill legal requirements

Source: The Express Tribune