Nida Saleh has become Pakistan’s first woman to drive a metro train, taking the controls of Lahore’s Orange Line Metro Train with quiet confidence.
As a trained transportation engineer, Nida has transitioned from engineering the metro system to driving it, demonstrating both technical expertise and professional resolve.
Trailblazer
Armed with a transport engineering degree and a fascination for trains that began in childhood, Nida began her professional journey with the Lahore Metro system. Her strong performance earned her a spot in a competitive new driver batch, selected purely on merit.
Despite coming from a business family and initially facing concerns over her career choice, she was determined to forge her own path. “I was determined to pursue a different path,” she told a local media outlet, recalling how her father had urged her to join the family business instead. She underwent three months of rigorous training with Chinese experts before stepping into the driver’s seat.
Today, Nida operates the metro with confidence, transporting thousands of commuters across Lahore daily. Though she was nervous at first, the experience quickly transformed into a source of pride and purpose. She said that seeing her drive the train inspires many people, noting that more young women are now exploring similar roles after seeing her example.
لاہور کی ندا صالح نے پاکستان کی پہلی خاتون ٹرین ڈرائیور کا اعزاز حاصل کر لیا! دیکھیں وہ کس مہارت سے اورنج لائن میٹرو ٹرین کو چلاتی ہیں!
— Discover Pakistan TV (@DiscoverpakTv) July 31, 2025
Pakistan's first female train driver Nida Saleh Lahore | Discover Pakistan#NidaSaleh #MetroTrain #WomenEmpowerment #InspiringWomen #zoomin pic.twitter.com/4pcwCDq4ms
Government endorsement and policy momentum
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz publicly congratulated Nida, calling her a source of national pride. “Daughters are no less than anyone; equal opportunities for their professional development will be provided continuously,” the chief minister said in a statement. Minister of Transport Bilal Akbar echoed the sentiment, praising her role in reshaping perceptions of women in technical fields.
Nida’s milestone reflects a broader initiative under Punjab’s current leadership, which includes targeted support for women’s professional growth. Recently, the province celebrated the graduation of its pilot Incubation Center program, where women completed intensive training designed to equip them with entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
Inclusion in Public Transit
While Nida’s role may be a first in Pakistan, it also aligns with global trends toward increasing female representation in public infrastructure and transit systems. In a region where such fields remain male-dominated, her presence in the metro cabin is a visible, practical step toward broader inclusion.
More than just operating a train, Nida Saleh represents a shift in possibility, showing that with merit, training, and resilience, professional boundaries continue to expand for women across Asia and the Middle East.
