A drone view of roads in Pakistan would reveal a steady stream of motorcycles weaving among larger cars. For the longest time, if a woman was seen on one of these two-wheelers, she would be sitting side-saddle.
Today, that image has begun to change - although not by a huge margin. Still, the shift is meaningful and marks a positive step forward for Pakistan.
Nineteen-year-old undergraduate student, Farwah Salman’s voice becomes high-pitched when she talks about her experience as a rider. As she struggles to find the right word to describe the adrenaline rush she feels every time she weaves through Karachi’s streets on her motorcycle, she tells You! that her passion for riding began with her bicycle.
“From the moment I started riding a motorcycle, I knew there was no turning back. There are already so many problems with the roads in Karachi - a lot of things are in bad shape. But riding a motorcycle has still given me a real sense of independence. Tasks that used to be delayed because I had to wait for someone can now be done right away. If someone in my family is busy, I can step in and help, taking care of their errands as well as my own,” expresses Farwah.
“For girls who study or work, it makes a huge difference. You can get to university, college, or the office on your own, without relying on others or waiting around. You get things done on time,” she explains.
For Farwah, it has also meant taking on responsibilities she once found difficult - from outdoor errands to household chores. “My mother, sister, and the rest of my family have all benefited from the support I can give now,” she adds.
Small vehicles like motorcycles typically enjoy a considerable market share. In FY25, motorcycle and three-wheeler sales in June totalled 138,509 units, up 54 percent year-over-year (YoY), bringing FY25 volumes to 1.5 million units - a 32 per cent YoY increase, according to official data.
As girls like Farwah reclaim male-dominated streets, more women are developing a passion for motorcycles. However, a lack of infrastructural support - including the absence of known motorcycle driving schools - remains a hurdle. This is where several private players play a vital role. The PSO (Pakistan State Oil) Shaheen Programme, for instance, is equipping women across Pakistan with the skills, confidence, and independence to take control of their commute - and, by extension, their lives.
Advocate Komal Khan, one of the participants, had always dreamed of riding a motorcycle but never had the opportunity to learn - until she joined the PSO Shaheen Programme. “The thrill of riding and the freedom it offers have truly grown on me,” she says, adding, “The programme provided access to professional trainers, a safe learning environment, and the confidence to ride independently. Without it, I’d probably still be postponing my dream.”
For Syeda Wajiha Zehra, another PSO Shaheen Programme graduate who works as a customer service representative, the trigger is the same as Farwah’s. “My desire to ride began in childhood when I first learned to cycle. Public transport has always been a struggle - from unpredictable fares to harsh weather.” Zehra, who is also a cancer survivor, shares that long commutes have taken a toll on her health. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands and get behind the handlebars.
On the programme’s growing popularity, GM Brand Marketing and Communications at PSO Iyshah Faizan comments, “With PSO Shaheen, we are not just putting wheels in motion, we are changing lives. What started as a spark in Karachi has ignited a movement, empowering over 120 women to take control of their journey and drive towards a brighter future - 82 per cent of whom have earned their licenses. As we quadruple our efforts and expand to across Pakistan, our hearts swell with pride, envisioning the countless women who will discover newfound independence and confidence behind the wheel.”
But do such initiatives make a difference? The simple answer is yes.
One such example is the ‘Women on Wheels’ initiative, registered under the Salman Sufi Foundation (SSF), an independently run social welfare organisation dedicated to women’s empowerment, equality of access to all and social justice in Pakistan.
Salman Sufi, founder of SSF ‘Women on Wheels’ (WoW), says the programme has fundamentally transformed the daily lives of women in Pakistan by dismantling one of the most persistent barriers: mobility. “Launched in 2016 by us as the country’s first mobility movement for women - not limiting them to cars - the initiative began with just 40 pioneering riders. Today, it has helped entrench a country wide shift toward female empowerment on two wheelers from near zero representation in 2016, trained female two wheeler riders numbered several thousand by 2024 - and casual everyday visibility in major cities surged sharply over this period,” highlights Salman.
“In rural and semi-urban areas, women trainees have launched businesses - offering delivery services, operating home-based ventures, or marketing mobility-friendly products (e.g., modified abayas for safe riding). As women contribute to household income, patriarchal resistance has softened. Cases like that of Sakina Asghar, who was able to rush her husband to the hospital on her motorbike during an emergency, illustrate the practical economic and social value of mobility,” says Salman. “Many women cite escaping harassment on buses and rickshaws as critical. Owning or driving their scooter or motorbike offers safety, reliability, and dignity -enabling consistent participation in the workforce and education sectors,” he adds.
For Iyshah too, the Shaheen Programme is not just about driving - it’s about shattering barriers, defying norms, and realising one’s true potential. “We are committed to creating safe spaces for women to learn, grow, and thrive. As we push forward, we are driven by the conviction that every woman deserves the freedom to move, to dream, and to chart her own course.”
Urooj, another PSO Shaheen participant, reflects the same thought, “I wanted to feel in control of my daily commute - and over time, that need turned into a passion. As a single mother, travelling with my children was exhausting. I had to change buses, pay high fares, and manage long, tiring routes. Balancing that with work and parenting was a daily struggle."
The confidence that such initiatives bring for women is also reflected in the workforce. Women are now registering with food delivery apps to become a delivery partner.
Hassan Arshad, Director of Policy and Communications at foodpanda Pakistan, shares his views on this shift, “It is truly inspiring to witness the transformative changes in Pakistan’s urban landscape - particularly the growing number of women embracing motorcycles as a means of mobility and economic independence. At foodpanda, we are incredibly proud to be among the leading organisations facilitating and championing this change, actively promoting the inclusion of women in our rider fleet.”
He adds that the company’s “commitment comes from a deep belief in equal opportunity and the immense potential that women bring to the workforce, and we are highly encouraged by the growing number of applications we receive.”
Whether or not the path to women’s financial freedom and mobility has become more apparent, it is certain that it is not free from challenges. For instance, Zehra’s biggest challenges as a female rider are safety concerns, societal judgement and inadequate road infrastructure. Yet, she believes these obstacles have made her stronger. Riding has given her “a profound sense of self-determination” and eliminated her dependence on others for transport.
Farwah shares her set of challenges, “First, the traffic in Karachi is very heavy. Second, rickshaws, trucks, trailers and containers make the other person feel unsafe. They drive so recklessly. Most people do not follow any rules, and anyone can appear suddenly from anywhere.”
Women previously reliant on male family members for transport are now commuting independently to work or college. Graduates like Laiba Rashid (student), Shumaila Shafiq (teacher and fashion designer), and Ghania Raza (PhD candidate) attribute greater mobility to these opportunities.
The organic popularity of women riders has helped families become more welcoming. “In terms of family support, my mother and siblings encouraged me a lot. They told me I should go for it and that girls should be independent. My grandmother and some others disagreed, saying a girl shouldn’t do such things. But my mother, father, and most of my family stood by me. They said I should learn because everyone has to face challenges at some point in life, and this skill would make many things easier,” tells Farwah to this scribe.
Ruqaiya Ibrahim, a teacher, got to know about the Shaheen Programme from her husband. For her, her family’s support and emphasis on safety kept her motivated.
Salman also shares that “fortunately, families have been very supportive. There have been very few cases where families have resisted the ‘Women on Wheels’ programme.”
“The major challenge,” he says, “is the cost of training, which we manage with the help of our sponsors who support these women. However, if the government and non-profits work together, this could be an easy win for the majority of women in Pakistan. The second biggest challenge is providing them with financial support to afford the bikes. This can be addressed by government subsidies, and companies can also offer discounted bikes to their female employees.”
“It is also important for bodies like the United Nations, Gates Foundation, and others to allocate funds for these women who want to be independent, but cannot afford a two-wheeler,” he adds.
Stories of women embracing independence across the country raise an important question: Can joint ventures between government bodies and private companies help resolve women’s mobility issues?
Salman shares his thoughts, “There have been many companies that have partnered with us to enhance this programme, starting with the Punjab government in 2016. With a special budget allocation from the then Chief Minister - now Prime Minister - Shahbaz Sharif, the programme was effectively given wings and truly took off. After it was discontinued by the succeeding government, my foundation took over, and ‘Women on Wheels’ is now a registered programme of our foundation.”
“Since then, we have worked with pioneering companies such as Honda, Interloop, Reckitt, Packages, and Sufi, among others. These organisations have not only trained their own staff but have also sponsored thousands of candidates who could not afford training. I believe it is pivotal for the government, non-profits, and companies to collaborate in training as many women as possible so that more can join the economic workforce,” he reflects.
As such initiatives gain momentum and women become an increasingly active part of the workforce, companies are also committing to creating better work environments. “Our company is dedicated to building a supportive ecosystem for all our riders, especially women. We achieve this by ensuring a safe working environment through comprehensive training and by fostering a culture of respect and encouragement. This positive change, driven by our collective efforts, is essential for our nation’s socio-economic development, and we are committed to further expanding these opportunities,” enunciates Hassan.
“At PSO, we believe that empowering women is key to building a more compassionate and inclusive society. We are honoured to be part of this journey and pledge to continue creating opportunities that help women thrive - both on the road and in life,” concludes Iyshah.
The writer heads the Business Desk at The News International. She can be reached at aimen_erumhotmail.com