Islamabad, Apr 30, (EFE).- Global ride-hailing service Uber announced on Tuesday the closure of its app in Lahore, Pakistan's only city where it was still operating under its name.

The announcement marks the end of Uber's presence in the country two years after scaling back its business.

In 2022, Uber ceased operations in Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Islamabad.

While the app remained available in Lahore, the capital city of the populous Punjab province, the decision has been made to discontinue its operation there as well, an Uber spokesperson said.

"We have made the decision to cease operating the Uber app in Pakistan," an Uber spokesperson said in a statement.

Uber, which acquired its then-Middle East rival Careem for $3.1 billion in March 2019, said operations would now be handled by its subsidiary, Careem, in Lahore.

"Our subsidiary brand Careem will continue to operate, with the Careem app offering ride-hailing services across Pakistan and earning opportunities for drivers," the statement said.

The company said the decision was in line with its global growth strategy, focusing on markets where it has opportunities for sustainable growth.

Following the acquisition, Careem continued to operate independently with its own branding, services, and separate app.

Currently, Careem operates in 10 cities across Pakistan including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Multan, Abbottabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Quetta, according to the company.

Careem is a Dubai-based company with operations in over 70 cities, covering 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia regions. EFE

© 2024 EFE News Services (U.S.) Inc., source EFE Ingles