Fawad Chaudhry’s Remarks on Women Riding Scooters Spark Online Debate

Former federal information minister Fawad Chaudhry has sparked an online discussion after commenting on the increasing number of women riding scooters in Punjab.

Chaudhry was responding to a BBC News Punjabi report about women using scooters to improve their mobility and travel independently.

In a post on social media, he claimed that “most of the girls are horrible drivers” and argued that campaigns encouraging women to ride bikes could put riders and other road users at risk.

His comments attracted reactions on social media, with some users questioning the basis for his statement and debating whether driving ability should be assessed on an individual basis rather than by gender.

Others pointed to the importance of mobility for women, particularly those who use scooters for education, employment and everyday travel.

The discussion has also brought attention to wider concerns surrounding road safety and the experiences of women riders in Punjab. Earlier reports have highlighted complaints involving harassment, intimidation and unsafe behaviour faced by some female riders on the roads.

The BBC report that prompted Chaudhry’s comments focused on women adopting scooters as a means of increasing independence and reducing reliance on others for transportation.

The debate continues to centre on women’s mobility, road safety, driver training and the challenges faced by female riders in Pakistan.