“I had to work for my children”: Karachi's single mother breaks barriers as delivery rider

For Mahak, riding a motorcycle was once nothing more than a hobby. Today, it has become her livelihood and a means of providing for her children.

Speaking in an interview with Dialogue Pakistan, Mahak shared her journey from financial hardship and unemployment to becoming a female delivery rider, describing the challenges she has faced while working on the streets of Karachi.

Mahak said she learned to ride a motorcycle and bicycle long before she was married, never imagining that the skill would eventually help her support her family.

"When I first went out to deliver an order, I felt extremely embarrassed. People would stare at me because I was a woman riding a motorcycle," she recalled.

However, she eventually stopped paying attention to people's reactions, reminding herself that she had a family to support.

"I had to take care of my home and my children. If I had focused on the people looking at me, I probably would not have reached where I am today," she said.

Mahak lives in a rented house in the Saddar-Landhi area and is a mother of four. Two of her children live with her mother, while the other two stay with her.

She said her family went through severe financial difficulties, with household expenses often forcing them to buy groceries and vegetables on credit. Her husband's financial circumstances were also difficult, and Mahak continued working to support the family.

Before entering the delivery sector, Mahak worked in security, including as a female security searcher. But when the COVID-19 pandemic brought businesses and jobs to a standstill, she found herself without work.

"Several years passed like that. We went through a very difficult time. There was hardly enough money for expenses, and my children would ask for food and other necessities," she said.

Her circumstances changed when she came across a Foodpanda job advertisement on her phone. Although she was initially unsure whether the company hired women, she applied and was subsequently called for an interview.

When she was hired, Mahak described the moment as a major turning point in her life.

"I cannot describe how happy I was. When someone who desperately needs work gets a job, the feeling is completely different," she said.

Starting the job was not easy. Mahak recalled that she did not even have enough money for fuel or basic expenses. She borrowed money for petrol and promised to repay it after receiving her salary.

As a single mother, her working day begins early. She prepares food for her children before leaving home and often takes her young son with her while working.

Mahak said her son has become an important source of support, sometimes helping her collect or deliver orders in situations where she is unable to go herself, particularly in crowded areas.

Despite working long hours, Mahak remains deeply concerned about her children.

"I keep calling home and asking whether they are okay and whether they have eaten," she said, describing the emotional difficulty of being away from her children while working.

She also admitted that the pressures of work and motherhood can sometimes become overwhelming.

"Sometimes I get angry and tell them, 'Do you want me to stop working and sit at home? Then who will feed us?'" she recalled.

Over time, Mahak also learned to deal with mechanical problems herself. She said that when she first started riding for work, she knew very little about repairing her motorcycle, but gradually learned how to handle problems on her own.

Despite the difficulties she has encountered, Mahak said her experiences with customers have largely been positive. She recalled meeting many people who treated her with respect and kindness.

However, she also spoke about an incident that deeply affected her. During one delivery, a customer allegedly verbally abused and insulted her, leaving her crying on the roadside.

"I was standing on the road and crying while people passing by were watching me," she recalled.

Mahak remains determined to continue working for her children despite the challenges she faces.

"God willing, I will not step back," she said.

Her ultimate goal, she added, is to see her children succeed in life and build a better future for them.