Unfortunately for Maryam Aftab she had a terrible meeting with a Careem driver, which made her very confused and scared. She shared her thoughts on Twitter in a series of tweets.
Last night something very scary and disturbing happened. Around noon I was on the Saba Avenue road that led to Khayaban and Ittehad with my friends and I decided to book a Careem because I had to go somewhere else.
– Maryam (@maryamful) June 7, 2018
After booking her ride she had a little trouble finding her captain .
The captain arrived at my pin location but was nowhere to be seen. I called him several times to ask where he was and he kept saying: "The main pin location pe hoon Aik Black Vigo ke peechay hoon House number nahi likha."
– Maryam (@maryamful) 7 June 2018
At this point, I get out of my friend’s car and told him the house no that I was outside and said “ap agay peechay kisi se pooch lain aur is house number pe ajayein.” He must’ve asked the Vigo guys or someone then.
— Maryam (@maryamful) June 7, 2018
After a few minutes the captain arrived at her location and had another car with her ..
After about 5 minutes the careem-car AND the Vigo arrived. A man came from the Vigo and said: "apne careem book ki hai? Hum ayein hain, monkey humare sath bethain." I was confused about who he was and why he was here, I told him "meri careem tou agay khari hai, monkey could hain? "
– Maryam (@ maryamful) June 7, 2018
The driver of the other car who was NOT the one who had booked them, came outside and asked her to come in his vehicle
This random man told me that he had to get into his car, he should have told me five times "monkey humare sath chalain, humari gari main bethain. " He was persevering to take me. My friends were also panicking and told me to go back in their car and that I did not go to a careem or something like that.
– Maryam (@maryamful) June 7, 2018
Alarm bells went off in Maryam's head, but she wanted to get to the bottom of the situation she again asked who the man was and why he asked her to get into his car.
I knew something was dark but I was totally stunned and wanted to know what was happening, so I asked him "yeh kya horaha hai? Could Hain ape?" When he told me so severely saw, the man became shy and said "oh sorry hum bass funny video bana rahe thay." ap kal morning show pe zaroor dekhain gi. "
– Maryam (@maryamful) June 7, 2018
Realizing that things went wrong, the men apologized about coming from the production team of a morning show and pranking and giving her a business card to appear more legitimate
He gives me a business card with the text "yeh humari company / boss has" and leaves. This is the business card. (A quick Facebook search told me that it's a fake company that cheats people, does not know what else to do.) Pic.twitter.com/sOZZ9WoVSK
– Maryam (@maryamful) June 7th, 2018
Then she called the Careem driver to ask him what exactly had happened. Strangely enough, he asked her to go with him to a nearby restaurant and see their recording equipment herself.
I went back to my friend's car and called the careem driver about what the fuck is going on. He was visibly scared but said the same: "I am a log in video log bana rahay thay" I was like "kya funny video" Camera "s Kahan Thay? Isme kya mazak tha?"
– Maryam (@maryamful) June 7, 2018
He says: "ap ayein sath seaview village restaurant udar cameras hain" Mind you, this restaurant is miles away. I said "may kyun aon apke sath?" And told him to cancel my ride. He did that and added costs to my balance sheet. Thanks friend pic.twitter.com/hBCpyhoTCf
– Maryam (@maryamful) June 7, 2018
She has summed it all up with This :
It's not about the money, but @CareemPAK you put together. I am a loyal customer, I travel regularly with care, thinking it's safe, but your captain may have put me in danger of taking random guys to take me in and defend them. What is going on?
– Maryam (@maryamful) 7 June 2018
Luckily she came home safely.
Anyway, I came home safely. I do not know what they thought of me, why they wanted to take me, but to all my friends, girls and boys: be safe and vigilant. Do not travel alone at late hours. Be close to people you trust. I'll be sure.
– Maryam (@maryamful) 7 June 2018
The whole experience left Maryam to the limit. However, she spoke about making sure that other women were quickly alerted to such cases.
And of course people were angry after reading her poignant story
What the hell is maryam? I'm glad you're safe, but please be extra careful now
– dolphins die (@naheinyaar) 7 June 2018
Others gave tips on how to safely can stay when using such apps.
Security tip: always check the child lock before you get in the car # StaySafe
– ʀᴇʜᴀɴ ꜰᴀʀɪᴅ (@rehanjhn) June 7, 2018
But most people were just relieved that Maryam was safe and had the presence of mind to sense that something was finished.
I am happy that everything is in order. You did the right things and the most important thing was when you felt that things were a little off, you did not go. Everyone safe.
– hasnain (@hasnainyc) June 7, 2018
Maryam immediately filed a complaint about the incident with Careem.
They assured her that they were investigating the matter and that they would take action against the captain if he was involved. Speaking of her experiences, Maryam said that while she appreciates how Careem helps in the mobility of women, they should better screen their Captains because the whole experience is about safety. Moreover, she emphasized how important it is for everyone to remain vigilant and report incidents like these immediately.
When it comes to safety, we must and can all do our part. You too can help to make such trips safer.
Digital Rights Foundation, is working on a study that aims to gather information on how safe Uber and Careem are in Pakistan, to help the companies to improve their activities.
DRC & # 39; s Communications Manager, Hija Kamran had this to say about the whole episode:
"Ride-hailing companies, like any other business organization, play an essential role in providing safety to their users before, during and after their services have been purchased, and although this is not an isolated incident, it reflects the safety of customers. Although it remains a priority in their books, it is still neglected in practice and under the current circumstances it is crucial that rigorous background checks be carried out on drivers, a strong safety and security policy is developed through consultation with all stakeholders; a solid and transparent implementation of that policy is ensured. "
Until more mechanisms are ensuring a safer experience, every n keep safe. Let this be a reminder that we must be vigilant at all times.
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