KARACHI – An online taxi driver in Karachi sexually harassed a US woman while she was going home from the airport, media reported on Wednesday.
The US woman had booked an online taxi to travel from the airport to Bahria Town. The taxi driver, upon seeing the woman alone, attempted to harass her. When the woman raised an alarm, the driver assaulted and raped her.
The report added that following this incident, the victim US woman filed a case at the Gadap police station, and the police arrested the suspect involved in the incident.
Responding to the rising harassment cases of women in online taxi services in the Sindh capital, Provincial Minister Shahina Sher Ali has written letters to private online taxi services and the Department of Transport to request complete details and criminal records of drivers.
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In an interview with Urdu News, the minister stated that incidents of harassment and trouble faced by women in private taxi services are being frequently reported. She highlighted a recent incident involving a woman who had arrived in Karachi from the United States and was assaulted. A case has been registered against the online taxi driver involved, and the suspect has been arrested.
The provincial minister further emphasized the need to move beyond teaching women sewing and embroidery and start imparting skills that enable them to contribute to society’s development. She added that her department is training women in sewing and embroidery and plans to teach them skills such as motorcycle mechanics, electrical work, and plumbing.
The provincial minister noted that the trend of women riding motorcycles is increasing; therefore, efforts are being made to train female motorcycle mechanics.
In regards to new schemes for women’s welfare in the 2024-25 budget, she mentioned that the department is not introducing any new schemes in the upcoming budget but hopes to introduce new schemes in the next budget.