KARACHI: Taking further the government of Punjab’s objective of women empowerment, Al-Abrar Associates, RTA (Regional Transport Authority) and ZonG have joined hands to launch a Women Exclusive Van service – “Tabeer” for the commuting women of Islamabad/ Rawalpindi.
Lack of safe, secure, comfortable and economic transport is one of the reasons that even skilled and educated women are unable to break out of the cycle of grinding poverty. In rush hours men crowd bus stops resulting in delay and frustration for women. To provide a sustainable solution to this issue, DRTA has taken a revolutionary step of Project Tabeer in collaboration with Al-Abrar Associates, sponsored by Zong Flutter to allow every woman the right to avail convenient transport facility to commute for work.
Expressing his views on the Project Tabeer initiative, Mr. Awais Manzoor Tarar, Secretary DRTA said, “With the very first initiative of its kind taken by private sector, DRTA in collaboration with Al-Abrar Associates and support of Zong wishes to take the endeavors of Government of Punjab for women’s empowerment to a new level. Public Transport is one area where we feel women face a number of problems and hence we couldn’t think of any better platform than a dedicated van service for the working women of Islamabad and Rawalpindi which will offer them a safe and easy commute.”
12 exclusive branded vans will facilitate women, in not only commuting between the twin cities, but also serve as a hub of information on ZonG Flutter packages with the added advantage of allowing women to avail recharge facility on the go. This is in line with Zong Flutter’s tagline, “Meri dunya, Merey khwaab”, specifically dedicated to help women realize their dreams. Project Tabeer is yet another step in that direction. Speaking on sponsoring Project Tabeer, Ms. Esna Bhatti, Product Manager Flutter, ZonG said: “We are grateful to RTA, Al-Abrar Associates and the Government of Punjab in turning the Tabeer project into a reality. Since ZonG Flutter is all about females, the project was a natural fit with the values that ZonG Flutter stands for. Hence, we decided to become the principal sponsors of the project”.
Sharing her thoughts on Project Tabeer, Ms. Nabila Yazdani – Deputy Director HR, ZonG said, “At ZonG, we are sensitive to the many problems faced by Pakistani women to stand up for their rights and understand the hurdles faced by Pakistani women every single day. Hence, Tabeer is our way of letting women in Pakistan know that we respect their ambitions and want to become active partners in helping them achieve a prominent status in the society”.
Talking about the project, Mr. Ali Hamdani, CEO Al-Abrar Associates said, “We are pleased to collaborate with ZonG, Government of Punjab and RTA to bring together this very special project. Al-Abrar, Government of Punjab and ZonG Flutter share a common goal of facilitating the women of Pakistan. There could be no better way of empowering the women of Punjab than launching Project Tabeer, women exclusive van service providing them a safe and comfortable commute facility to get a step closer to their dreams and ambitions. We plan to expand this facility in other areas of Punjab after initial success in the twin cities.”
Project Details:
As a Pilot Project 12 vans have been dedicated for this purpose and shall ply of following two routes of twin cities:-
Route No. 1: Haider Road Saddar Rawalpindi to Pak Secretariat Islamabad via Railway Station, Marrer Chowk, Moti Mahal, Committee Chowk, Waris Khan, Naz Cinema, Central Hospital, Sadiq Abad, Rehman Abad, Shamsabad, Faiz Abad, Zero Point, Fire Brigade, Abpara, Melody, GPO, Poly Clinic, F6/1, Super Market, Pak Secretariat.
Route No. 7: Haj Complex to Swan Camp via Golra Morr, Kohinoor Mil, Pir Wadai Morr, Chur Depot, Cheering Cross, Radio Pakistan, Rece Course Ground, MH Chowk, Railway Station, Kamran Chowk, Marrer Chowk, District Courts, Morgah Morr, Alshafa, SOS Village.
