ISLAMABAD: Ride-hailing company Careem has announced it will stop its operations in Pakistan from July 18, 2025, marking the end of its nearly decade-long presence in one of its biggest markets.
In an official message to its users, Careem thanked Pakistani customers for their support over the years and said the decision to shut down was a difficult one.
The company also informed users that those with remaining balances in their Careem Wallets will be contacted with clear instructions on how to claim their money. “If you have a remaining balance in your Careem Wallet, we’ll be in touch soon with clear instructions on how to reclaim it,” the statement said.
Customer service through “Careem Care” will remain available until September 18, 2025, to assist users with any questions or issues.
Careem launched its services in Pakistan in 2016, starting in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. The launch came at a time when 3G and 4G internet services were expanding in the country, helping the ride-hailing app grow rapidly.
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Mudassir Sheikha, Careem’s CEO and co-founder, posted on LinkedIn revealing “a new phase” for the company.
Sheikha said it was a “difficult decision” due to rising economic challenges, increased competition, and a shift in global investment priorities. These factors made it hard to continue providing safe and reliable ride services in the country.
“This marks the end of an iconic chapter built with purpose and hard work,” he added.
During its operations in Pakistan, Careem introduced several changes, including on-demand rides, safe travel for women, and promoting the use of smartphones and digital payments.
“Our Pakistan team was bold and committed to creating job opportunities for thousands of drivers, known as Captains,” Sheikha said. He praised the team for building a service that millions of Pakistanis used daily for travel and earning a living.
He also said that Careem’s ride-hailing operations helped build digital infrastructure and trust in the online economy, encouraging other local and international tech companies to enter Pakistan.
Although ride-hailing services will stop, Careem will continue to operate in Pakistan through its technology arm, Careem Technologies, which is working on building the “Everything App” — a platform offering services like food and grocery delivery, digital payments, and more.
Around 400 Careem employees in Pakistan, including engineers, are part of this new project. The company plans to expand further by hiring more staff and training graduates through its Falcon/NextGen programme.
“Pakistan is deeply connected to Careem. Our journey began here, and the country remains a key source of innovation and talent,” Sheikha concluded.
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Earlier, in April 2024, Uber had announced the closure of its ride-hailing services in Pakistan. A spokesperson had said, “We’ve made the decision to cease operating the Uber app in Pakistan,” adding that Careem would continue to offer services and provide earning opportunities for drivers.
Uber had acquired Careem in 2019 for $3.1 billion but had allowed both brands to run independently. In October 2022, Uber had already stopped operating in Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Islamabad, continuing only in Lahore through the Uber app.
However, in April 2024, Uber also announced the shutdown of its Lahore operations, saying services would now only be available through Careem. Uber had offered a 50 per cent discount on five Careem rides as part of the transition and said customers could reclaim any remaining Uber Cash from their wallets.
With Careem now also exiting the Pakistani market, the country’s ride-hailing landscape is set to change significantly.
