A ceremony to distribute free scooters among the women of Sukkur was held at a local hall by the Transport and Mass Transit Department of the Government of Sindh.
The ceremony was attended by Member of the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah; Senior Minister of Sindh and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon; Provincial Minister for Local Government, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah; Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Syed Owais Qadir Shah; Provincial Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla; Spokesperson of the Sindh Government and Mayor of Sukkur, Arsalan Islam Sheikh; Chairman District Council Sukkur, Syed Kamil Haider Shah; former Provincial Minister Imdad Pitafi; Syed Javed Shah; Deputy Mayor and PPP City President Dr. Arshad Mughal; Muhammad Qasim Siraj; Babul Khan Bhiyo; Managing Director Mass Transit, Kanwal Nizam Bhutto; Vice Chancellors of IBA, Aror, and Begum Nusrat Bhutto Universities; Commissioner Sukkur Division, Abid Saleem Qureshi; Deputy Commissioner Sukkur, Nadir Shahzad Khan; SSP Sukkur, Azhar Mughal; and Director Information Sukkur, Ghulam Abbas Goraho. PPP leaders, respected citizens, as well as women who received free scooters and their families, were also present in large numbers.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, while addressing the ceremony, said that today is an important day. The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Sindh government are serving the people under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Faryal Talpur.
He said that if one looks at the history of Pakistan, the Pakistan Peoples Party has carried out the most significant work for women’s empowerment. He added that Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Bhutto worked for women’s empowerment, while Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister of the Muslim world, established women’s police stations, the first women’s bank, and initiated the Lady Health Workers program. When President Asif Ali Zardari came to power, he launched the historic Benazir Income Support Programme.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that today the IMF and the World Bank appreciate this program. He added that in the past, women in society were often deprived of identity cards, but after the launch of this program, people began obtaining ID cards for their sisters, daughters, and mothers. He further stated that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has initiated one of the largest housing projects in history, under which the Sindh government is building houses for 2.1 million families free of cost.
He said that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also ensured that women are given ownership rights to these houses. He emphasized that the PPP has done unparalleled work in empowering women. He added that it is the government’s responsibility to strengthen women, and the government is fulfilling this duty. Pakistan’s first EV bus was introduced in Sindh by the PPP. He also claimed that there is no service like the Pink Bus service in the US, UK, Europe, or Gulf countries, as it employs women as both drivers and conductors. He added that EV scooters are being provided to women free of cost.
Sharjeel Inam Memon further said that previously only 150 women in Sindh had motorbike licenses, whereas now 20,000 women have applied for driving licenses.
He stated that no other government in Pakistan is providing pink EV scooters free of cost. Along with scooters, the Sindh government is also providing helmets, licenses, and training free of charge. He emphasized that there is no donor agency involved in this project, nor is any recommendation required. Any eligible woman with a driving license and proof of employment can receive a pink scooter. He reiterated that empowering women is the vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, President Asif Ali Zardari, and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.
He added that the vision of the PPP is based on development and prosperity. Despite propaganda, the people will make their own decisions. He said that in every election, the people of Sindh have given the PPP an increased mandate. Registration of pink scooters has also been made free. He advised women to use the scooters safely rather than keeping them unused at home.
Addressing the ceremony, PPP leader and MNA Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that Pakistan’s development depends on greater public participation. He advised women not to hand over the scooters to their brothers or sons. He expressed gratitude to Sharjeel Inam Memon for distributing scooters among the women of Sukkur. He said that these girls are like daughters to all, regardless of political affiliation, and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure their safety. He also requested the Mayor of Sukkur and the District Council to establish facilitation counters.
Provincial Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that this achievement is the result of the vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the tireless efforts of the Sindh government, including Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Provincial Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. He noted that Syed Owais Qadir Shah initiated the Peoples Bus Service during his tenure.
He added that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision is to promote progress and prosperity while empowering women. Women who are working, studying, or seeking employment opportunities can complete the required formalities to receive a scooter.
Other speakers at the ceremony highlighted that the initiative would significantly contribute to women’s development. They said that the Sindh government is providing affordable transport facilities and that free scooters will benefit working women as well as female students. They emphasized that scooters will be distributed on merit after completion of the required process.
The speakers stated that empowering women by providing resources for independent and dignified living is essential. They described the Pink Scooties Scheme as a step toward ensuring safe, convenient, and respectable mobility for women, easing their daily lives.
They further noted that this vision continues the legacy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who consistently advocated for women’s rights, education, and empowerment. They appreciated Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for advancing the agenda of democracy, social justice, and women’s development.
The speakers also paid tribute to Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah for his contributions to women’s education in Sukkur, particularly the establishment of a women’s university, which will play a vital role in empowering future generations.
They expressed appreciation for Provincial Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon for his leadership in improving the mass transit system and promoting modern transport initiatives, including the Pink Scooties project.
In conclusion, the speakers reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to introducing welfare and development projects aimed at improving the lives of all segments of society, especially women.
At the end of the ceremony, the guests distributed pink scooters to Muqaddas Nooreen, Bilqis Mehtab, Mah Noor, Maryam Ghulam Sarwar, Bakhtawar Bhatti, and other students, working women, and self-employed women, handing over the keys to them.