SUKKUR: A ceremony to distribute free scooters among the women of Sukkur was held at a local hall on Friday by the Transport and Mass Transit Department of the Government of Sindh, said a statement issued the Divisional Directorate of Information Sukkur.
The ceremony was attended by Member of the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Senior Minister and Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah; Speaker of Sindh Assembly Syed Owais Qadir Shah, Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla; Spokesperson for the Sindh Government and Sukkur Mayor 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 Sukkur, Aror University, and Begum Nusrat Bhutto University, Commissioner Sukkur Division Abid Saleem Qureshi, Deputy Commissioner Sukkur Nadir Shahzad Khan, SSP Sukkur Azhar Mughal, and Director Information Sukkur Ghulam Abbas Goraho. Other PPP leaders 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, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Faryal Talpur.
He said that if one looks at the history of Pakistan, the PPP 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 programme. When President Asif Ali Zardari came to power, he launched the historic Benazir Income Support Programme.
Memon said that today the IMF and the World Bank appreciate this programme. He added that in the past, women in society were often deprived of identity cards, but after the launch of this programme, 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 Chairman Bilawal 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.
The senior minister further said that previously only 150 women in Sindh had motorbike licences, while now 20,000 women have applied for driving licences. 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, licences, 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 licence and proof of employment can receive a pink scooter. He reiterated that empowering women is the vision of Chairman Bilawal, 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 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.
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 Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. He noted that Syed Owais Qadir Shah initiated the Peoples Bus Service during his tenure.
He added that Bilawal’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.
