The Senate has passed a new law to regulate online ride-hailing services in Islamabad, setting rules for companies, drivers, vehicles and data-sharing to improve safety.
What the New Ride-Hailing Law Covers
The Senate has approved a bill that creates a formal legal framework for online ride-hailing services operating in Islamabad. Until now, most app-based transport services have been working under temporary permissions or general commercial rules, with no dedicated law tailored to their business model.
Under the new legislation, ride-hailing platforms that connect passengers with drivers through mobile apps will be treated as regulated transport service providers. The law clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of companies, drivers and regulators, with the aim of improving passenger safety, accountability and service standards in the capital city.
Registration Rules for Companies, Drivers and Vehicles
A key feature of the new law is compulsory registration. Ride-hailing companies will be required to obtain an operational certificate from the designated authority before they can offer services in Islamabad. Operating without this certificate, or continuing operations after its suspension or cancellation, will not be allowed.
Drivers working with these platforms must also register with the authority. Every driver will need a valid driving licence as well as a special permit issued under the law. Unregistered drivers will not be allowed to pick up passengers through any ride-hailing app within the city limits.
The law further sets eligibility standards for vehicles. Cars must be properly registered, insured where applicable, and pass annual fitness inspections to remain in service. This is designed to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are used for passenger transport, reducing the risk of breakdowns and accidents.
Safety, Accountability and Data-Sharing Requirements
To strengthen oversight, the legislation requires ride-hailing companies to maintain updated records of all drivers and vehicles operating on their platforms. This includes basic identification details, licence and permit information, and vehicle registration and fitness status.
Companies will also need to provide operational data to authorities when requested. This may include trip logs, route information, complaint records and other relevant data needed for investigations, audits or policy reviews. Senate officials have emphasised that such access to data is important for tackling issues like overcharging, unsafe driving, harassment complaints and disputes between riders and drivers.
By creating a central record of operators and enforcing minimum safety standards, the law aims to close gaps that previously existed in the largely unregulated ride-hailing space.
What This Means for Riders and Drivers in Islamabad
For everyday riders, the new law is expected to bring clearer protections and better service quality over time. With formal registration, fitness checks and data-sharing rules in place, regulators will be in a stronger position to respond to complaints and take action against non-compliant drivers or companies.
For drivers, the legislation introduces new compliance requirements but also gives them recognition as part of an officially regulated sector. Meeting the conditions for licences, permits and vehicle fitness will be essential for staying on the road, but it may also help professional drivers differentiate themselves from informal operators.
Ride-hailing companies, meanwhile, will need to upgrade their internal processes to align with the law, including verification, record-keeping and reporting systems. In the short term this could increase administrative work, but in the long term a clear legal framework can reduce uncertainty and build trust among regulators, passengers and investors.
Overall, the new ride-hailing law marks a significant shift from informal growth to regulated expansion. How effectively it is implemented will determine whether it delivers on its promise of safer, more accountable and more reliable app-based transport in Islamabad.
