PinkyGul Heroines
Taking control of the wheel of fate, Zahida Kazmi bought a yellow cab on easy installment through the government’s initiated employment scheme of 1987, hence becoming Pakistan’s first female taxi driver.
Twice widowed and having jumped on to the roads to earn livelihood for her family, the 33-year-old widow knew it’s a male-dominated society. Initially, she wore burqa and carried a gun while taking her passengers to their destinations. However, with the passage of time, her fears wore off and she gradually grew street-wise.
She says that her passengers always accorded her with great courtesy during the commute. In a dangerous and unpredictable world, she initially kept a gun in the car for the sake of her own protection. When she started off, she wore a burqa to drive her passengers around. With the passage of time, her fears dissipated.
Today, she is the chairperson of the Yellow Cab Association of Pakistan. She says that the exposure she received whilst navigating the bustling city streets of Islamabad and the rocky and remote areas adjoining the tribal areas of Pakistan has taught her a great deal about the country’s culture.
In 2015, she was stricken with diabetes, and was unable to afford her taxi due to having to pay for medical treatment. With the help of a fundraiser that drew international contributions, however, she was able to purchase a brand-new van and continue doing what she loved.
PinkyGul Heroines
Taking control of the wheel of fate, Zahida Kazmi bought a yellow cab on easy installment through the government’s initiated employment scheme of 1987, hence becoming Pakistan’s first female taxi driver.
Twice widowed and having jumped on to the roads to earn livelihood for her family, the 33-year-old widow knew it’s a male-dominated society. Initially, she wore burqa and carried a gun while taking her passengers to their destinations. However, with the passage of time, her fears wore off and she gradually grew street-wise.
She says that her passengers always accorded her with great courtesy during the commute. In a dangerous and unpredictable world, she initially kept a gun in the car for the sake of her own protection. When she started off, she wore a burqa to drive her passengers around. With the passage of time, her fears dissipated.
Today, she is the chairperson of the Yellow Cab Association of Pakistan. She says that the exposure she received whilst navigating the bustling city streets of Islamabad and the rocky and remote areas adjoining the tribal areas of Pakistan has taught her a great deal about the country’s culture.
In 2015, she was stricken with diabetes, and was unable to afford her taxi due to having to pay for medical treatment. With the help of a fundraiser that drew international contributions, however, she was able to purchase a brand-new van and continue doing what she loved.
