LAHORE; In a landmark achievement for gender inclusion in Pakistan’s transport sector, Nida Saleh has made history by becoming the first-ever female driver of the Orange Line Metro Train in Lahore. Her appointment is being hailed as a breakthrough moment for women’s empowerment in traditionally male-dominated fields.
The Orange Line Metro Train, launched in 2020 as Pakistan’s first fully automated mass rapid transit system, has played a crucial role in easing urban mobility in Lahore. Until now, the operation of the trains has remained exclusively in the hands of male staff, making Nida Saleh’s appointment a trailblazing moment that breaks long-standing barriers.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated Nida Saleh on her appointment and described her achievement as a source of national pride. In a statement, she said, “Daughters like Nida Saleh are the pride of the nation,” reaffirming her government’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for women in every profession.
This development comes as part of a broader push by the Punjab government to encourage female participation in the workforce, especially in sectors where women have historically been underrepresented. In recent months, the provincial administration has taken several steps toward gender parity, including recruitment drives for female traffic wardens, bus conductors, and administrative staff in public service departments.
Nida Saleh’s success is being widely celebrated not only for its symbolic value but also for challenging societal norms and inspiring a new generation of women to enter public service roles. Advocates for gender equality see this move as an important step toward normalizing the presence of women in technical and operational jobs and fostering an inclusive workplace culture within Pakistan’s transport and infrastructure sectors.
