‘Women Are Bad Drivers’: Fawad Chaudhry’s Remarks on Female Scooter Riders Spark Social Media Backlash
ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has drawn strong reactions on social media after making remarks about women riding scooters, claiming that many women are poor drivers.
Fawad Chaudhry made the comments while reposting a BBC News Punjabi report about the growing number of women riding scooters in Punjab and scooter rallies being organized in different cities to promote women’s mobility and independence.
He claimed that “most girls are very bad drivers” and argued that encouraging women to drive could put their own lives as well as the lives of others at risk.
Most of the girls are horrible drivers and must not be encouraged to use bikes!! This campaign is akin putting their and others lives in danger…. https://t.co/d2YXoigf7g
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 22, 2026
His remarks triggered a wave of criticism on X, with social media users questioning whether he had any credible statistics to support his claim or whether it was based on general perceptions and social media discussions.
Some users compared the situation with male motorcyclists in Pakistan, questioning whether men were necessarily better drivers, while pointing out that many riders do not even use indicators while turning.
Several users highlighted the importance of women’s mobility and independence in Pakistan and argued that if there were concerns about driving skills, the focus should be on improving driving education and training rather than discouraging women from riding scooters.
Oh my gosh can someone teach him how to deactivate his account ?? Enough of sexist misogynist blabbering. https://t.co/S4Om3wabXR
— Dr Humma Saif (@HummaSaif) September 22, 2026
One social media user sarcastically advised the former minister to stop giving advice to others and instead close his own X account.
The remarks have also prompted discussion about the challenges faced by women on Pakistani roads. Women scooter riders have spoken about experiences including unwanted staring, following and harassment by male motorcyclists while travelling on roads.
The debate has once again brought attention to women’s access to independent transportation and the broader social challenges surrounding female mobility in Pakistan.
