CM Directs Officials To Resolve Matters Of Uber, Careem

LAHORE, Feb 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 01st Feb, 2017 ) : Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday directed the officials concerned to resolve all matters of private cab service, Uber and Careem as per legal requirements.

Presiding over a meeting held here to review matters of the private cab services here, the chief minister said, if the people were getting good transport service then this model should be promoted.

He said a proper registration method should be implemented for the registration of operators of private taxi service. Secretary Transport, CTO and officials of LTC also attended the meeting. PITB Chairman and Chief Minister Adviser Dr.

Omer Saif, talking to APP said that a number of private vehicles registered with the Motor Registering Authority (MRA) were providing services on commercial basis under Careem and Uber. Both the companies were working neither on commercial nor private basis, he added.

He said that both companies had been asked to submit their proposals and in this regard a meeting would also be held on February 2 (tomorrow) to discuss their proposals. The Advisor said that these companies should be regulated and taxed, adding that they must register as a formal business under a taxation regime.

Dr Omer Saif said that such companies were treated as "network service providers" in other countries including Malaysia, Egypt, Indonesia and others. A spokesman of Careem told APP that the company was ready to work with the government on all levels regarding laws and regulations to document.

"We will see what type of laws or rules we can help devise to regulate the sharing economy", he added. He said they would work with regulators and policymakers to ensure that people had easy access to safe, affordable and efficient transportation option.

He said a fresh regulatory and taxation mechanism should be evolved for dealing with them, adding that they would discuss their regulatory proposals with the government's officials in upcoming meetings.

It may be mentioned here, the Chief Minister Punjab took notice of imposing a ban on Uber and Careem and directed the officials to resolve the matter within 15 days. These taxi companies would continue their services during this period.