Careem Pakistan has been urged to provide concessions to expatriate Pakistanis at the time of using the services within the country.
In a recent meeting with the CEO of Careem Pakistan, Junaid Iqbal, Zulfikar Bukhari, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development, called upon the online motor vehicle service, Careem, to provide concessions to expatriate Pakistanis.
The meeting also touched on the potential training and employment of the returning labor force and explored innovative online payment systems for remittances.
Mr. Bukhari stressed the importance of offering concessions to expatriate Pakistanis when they utilize Careem’s services in Pakistan, recognizing the valuable contributions and remittances made by overseas Pakistanis. He also suggested that the labor force returning to Pakistan could receive training and employment opportunities through Careem.
The meeting also included discussions regarding a new online payment system for remittances. CEO Careem Pakistan proposed a system where expatriates can choose to invest their remitted funds in products and receive a market-compatible rate of return. This innovative approach would not only facilitate the ease of sending and receiving remittances but also offer attractive investment options for overseas Pakistanis.
Mr. Iqbal reaffirmed Careem’s commitment to providing support and services to expatriates in Pakistan across various domains. He revealed that a significant portion of Careem’s captains in Dubai has Pakistani origins, demonstrating the substantial presence of Pakistanis within the company. In Saudi Arabia, 8% of the limo drivers are Pakistanis who contribute to 20% of Careem’s rides.
During the meeting, Mr. Iqbal provided an overview of Careem’s operations, highlighting the challenges the company has faced in areas such as tax, route permits, and licensing. These challenges underscored the need for more robust regulations to govern e-commerce and online businesses in Pakistan.
SAPM Zulfikar Bukhari acknowledged that the regulatory framework for handling e-commerce in Pakistan currently lags behind industry needs. He emphasized that efforts are underway to streamline and regularize online businesses in collaboration with the government.
Mr. Iqbal also briefed Mr. Bukhari about Careem Pakistan’s initiatives aimed at creating more employment opportunities for Pakistanis. He emphasized Careem’s preference for collaborative engagement with the government, seeking to be a productive employer and tax contributor. The need for comprehensive e-laws to regulate various forms of online businesses was also highlighted.
Both Mr. Bukhari and Mr. Iqbal recognized the vast potential for job creation within the online marketplace. It was projected that by 2023, there would be two million online shops in Pakistan, necessitating effective regulations.
Mr. Bukhari underscored the importance of registering online businesses as a recognized industry, subject to government regulations. He noted the increasing participation of women in online businesses, highlighting the potential for women to create more products and services, ultimately benefiting the entire economy.
The meeting concluded with a shared vision for the future of online businesses in Pakistan, one that fosters innovation, economic growth, and job opportunities while ensuring effective regulations to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders.
In conclusion, the meeting between SAPM Zulfikar Bukhari and CEO Careem Pakistan, Junaid Iqbal, represents a step toward fostering collaboration between online service providers and the government. It addresses the need for supporting expatriate Pakistanis, harnessing the potential of the returning labor force, and developing innovative online payment systems for remittances. The discussions also highlighted the importance of robust e-commerce regulations to facilitate job creation and the active participation of women in online businesses, ultimately contributing to the broader economy.
