KARACHI: TV show host Nida Yasir has apologised for her recent comments about Foodpanda delivery riders, which drew sharp criticism. She had accused some riders of “lying” to take extra cash and admitted to deliberately delaying their next deliveries to “teach them a lesson.”
On a new episode of Good Morning Pakistan, Yasir clarified her remarks. “A few days ago, during my programme, I shared a personal experience that was not pleasant. My mistake was the choice of words I used to explain it,” she said.
She added that because her show is live, “we often aren’t careful about how we come across.”
Yasir said she should have referred to “some riders” instead of speaking broadly. “Most riders work very hard to make ends meet. I am not here to hurt anyone,” she said. “I am human, not perfect… sometimes what is in our hearts may not come out right.”
ALSO READ
CM Bugti launches Balochistan’s first Pink Bus Service in Quetta
Addressing the riders directly, she said: “To any riders who were hurt by my words, I apologise. I respect all hardworking riders. I never intended to make light of their struggles.”
However, the backlash was not just about her words but also about the behaviour she described on live TV. Yasir had said she believed some riders “pretend they have no change” to get extra cash, and that she sometimes delays them intentionally to “teach them a lesson.”
Experts and social media users criticised this approach, saying it unfairly targets underpaid gig workers who face challenges like unsafe roads, traffic, bad weather, and low pay.
ALSO READ
Punjab shares Basant festival 2026 schedule under new safety plan
Foodpanda’s system is designed to avoid such problems. The app notifies customers to keep change ready and offers online payment options to prevent delays. Riders handle multiple deliveries per hour, and even small delays can affect their earnings and ratings.
The issue, many say, was never about whether she meant “some riders” or “all riders.” It was about the mindset of using vulnerable workers’ time and effort as an opportunity to “teach lessons.”
