A Journey of Creating Impact
For Miral, technology has always been about solving real problems for real people. Her career journey began at Ufone in process improvement, followed by strategic roles at Zong CMPak Ltd, where she advanced from Executive in Pricing to Assistant Manager of Segments. Her path then led through significant positions at Swvl and Daraz, where she developed expertise in marketplace management and commercial strategy.The story of how she joined Yango reflects the company's organic growth approach: "A friend told me go meet these people they're from a company called 'Yango' so i met the C-level here in ISB and convinced them not to launch Pakistan — 6 months down the road I was a part of the company preparing for the first city launch."
If transportation hadn't been her calling, Miral would have pursued operations-focused roles in fast-moving industries. "If transportation technology hadn't been my calling, then I think I would have been in a role, definitely, which was more operations-oriented in any of the industries that had a lot to do with data and operations, because I feel like I get that kick when I work with operations."
The Yangoer Philosophy
When discussing what it means to be a Yangoer, Miral emphasizes the collaborative nature that drives success: "I think there is no growth that can happen independently or individually. I think it is always an amalgamation or basically a joint effort and no individual, however smart, however talented, however hardworking can do or take a business to a certain point alone."Her leadership philosophy centers on empowerment and growth:
I believe in a leadership style that is enabling, encouraging, empowering. So the idea is to help everyone come to a level where you are able to sort of nurture them to be leaders in themselves. The idea is to give direction and lead and not manage.
This approach extends to her team development strategy: "The idea is also to nurture the team and to impart everything that I know to them and to learn from them as well. So it's an extreme two-way contribution where the idea is to learn from them and their fresh ideas."
Strengthening Communities
Miral's vision encompasses both sides of the mobility equation, fundamentally redefining how the transportation industry operates. What sets Yango Pakistan apart is its revolutionary approach to sustainable growth — proving that exponential expansion and profitability can go hand-in-hand, something rarely seen in the mobility industry where growth typically comes at the expense of sustainability.For partner’s drivers and couriers, Yango Pakistan has introduced comprehensive support systems including first aid training partnerships with Uniferoz, flexible payment solutions through Swich, and environmental initiatives like electric rickshaw programs with Wasl Microfinance. The company has also launched transformative programs such as Drivers' Dreams and Family Day initiatives. "On one side, this is reflected in ensuring best earnings for partner’s drivers and continuously creating opportunities to go above and beyond for them through projects that positively impact their lives and that of their families," explains Miral.On the customer side, Yango has become an undeniable part of daily life across Pakistan — from office commutes to hospital visits. The platform's philosophy challenges industry norms by prioritizing affordability over profit maximization. Rather than capturing a larger chunk of users' disposable income through high prices, Yango leverages its in-house tech capabilities to optimize and subsidize costs, ensuring transportation remains accessible while preserving customers' spending power for other necessities.
Safety as a Personal Mission
Under Miral's leadership, Yango Pakistan has implemented what may be the most comprehensive safety program in the country's ride-hailing sector. For Miral, safety extends beyond technical features to address fundamental social challenges:
Mobility is a basic human right. Your ability to move freely determines many critical aspects of your life — which school you attend, which hospital you seek treatment at, where you live, and how far your home is from public transport.
The safety measures include automatic insurance coverage for 100% of rides through partnership with Waada. The program protects both passengers and partner’s drivers equally, backed by advanced safety features including SOS button connectivity to 1122 services, Share Route functionality, and Emergency Situation support.Miral explains the real-time monitoring system: "Every ride is tracked. If a partner’s driver deviates from the route, customers can report it immediately through our safety center, which is directly connected to emergency services." The platform also incorporates AI-driven monitoring that detects unsafe driving patterns and comprehensive partner’s driver verification processes.The personal impact becomes clear when she discusses the broader mission: "For women and girls, safe transportation is extremely important. At Yango, we prioritize safety through technology, background checks, and real-time monitoring."Recent partnerships demonstrate this commitment in action. The collaboration with Punjab Safe City Authority introduces in-app direct access to Women's Safety Helpline (15), dedicated Child Safety Helpline services, and enhanced security protocols. The first aid initiative with Uniferoz equipped partner’s drivers across Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi with first aid kits and professional training.
Revolutionizing Urban Transport with Electric Rickshaws
The electric rickshaw initiative in Lahore exemplifies Miral's commitment to both partner’s driver empowerment and environmental responsibility. "Yango Pakistan has introduced electric rickshaws to Lahore's streets by collaborating with Wasl, enabling partner’s drivers to lease and own EV rickshaws through low-cost, fast-tracked financing solutions."This program represents preserving Pakistan's cultural transport heritage while modernizing it for the future. The initiative provides accessible financing options for EV ownership, helping partner’s drivers transition to cleaner technology while reducing urban pollution and noise levels. "By electrifying Pakistan's beloved everyday transport, we're honoring local tradition while bringing sustainable innovation."
Vision for the Yango Pakistan's Future
Looking ahead to 2025, Miral reveals an ambitious transformation with plans to continuously add more services until Yango becomes the only app users need for most of their daily requirements. As Miral puts it with a smile, "Yango users will have much more storage space in their phones because only one app is going to serve all their needs – making Yango your go-to for every need, multiple times a day."
Advice from Miral
Drawing from her experience leading diverse teams across Pakistan's complex market landscape, Miral offers guidance for professionals navigating similar challenges:"All global companies would need to combine their global tech with local insights and cultural empathy. Cultural empathy is the word that we need to underline, because that is what gets to people."Her recommendations center on understanding local communities deeply: "It is extremely important to think of your teams as your own people and to work for their benefit which is both personal and professional to the best of your abilities and to make sure that they grow with you and the company."She emphasizes the importance of local knowledge:
When you talk about the local teams, they are the ones who are on ground and have the experience. They are attuned to the local nuances and they are the ones who are your eyes and ears.
Through technology, partnership, and unwavering focus on community needs, Miral continues building a transportation and delivery ecosystem where safety and accessibility aren't luxuries — they're fundamental rights for every Pakistani.We're rolling out our newsletter monthly, featuring interviews with our leaders from around the globe. Make sure to check our blog to stay in the loop!
