KARACHI: The Sindh government approved changes to traffic laws to improve road safety and ensure better enforcement, the changes include banning four-seater rickshaws, requiring third-party vehicle fitness checks, and increasing fines for traffic violations.
According to the details, In Karachi traffic accidents have risen, especially those involving dumpers and water tankers. Hospital data from 2024 shows nearly 500 deaths and 4,879 injuries. These incidents led to public protests, prompting the government to ban heavy vehicles during the day and require them to have fitness certificates.
The Sindh Home Department said Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar led a meeting to discuss updates to the Motor Vehicles Rules due to the growing number of accidents.
The meeting included the secretaries of law and transport, the inspector general of police, and the deputy inspector general of traffic police. They approved outsourcing vehicle fitness checks to third parties and banning four-seater rickshaws.
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The meeting decided that all vehicles, whether commercial or non-commercial, must have fitness certificates issued by third parties. Lanjar said agreements with these third parties would follow all regulations.
The government also banned the sale of tinted windows, fancy lights, and sirens, both online and in stores. The meeting agreed to enforce a complete ban on four-seater rickshaws, like Qingqi, as they have caused accidents by colliding with trucks.
Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla said the excise department would support enforcement by not issuing registration or route permits for these rickshaws. A crackdown on such vehicles was also announced.
Chawla promised to quickly set up the vehicle fitness certification system and enforce fitness requirements strictly. He also required water tankers and dumpers to have trackers and sensors. A detailed draft of the new rules will be prepared and sent to the Sindh government for approval.
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To reduce traffic jams, accidents, and violations, only 1×2 seater rickshaws will be allowed. The meeting approved fines, including:
- Rs200,000 for government vehicles driving the wrong way,
- Rs25,000 for motorcyclists driving against traffic,
- Rs100,000 for four-wheelers breaking one-way rules,
- Rs25,000 for motorcyclists and Rs50,000 for car drivers without a license,
- Rs100,000 for first-time one-wheeling or drifting, with fines of Rs200,000 and Rs300,000 for repeat offenses.
Lanjar also required heavy vehicles to have at least five cameras. E-challans for violations will be sent to vehicle owners’ registered addresses, and vehicles with unpaid fines cannot be sold or transferred.
The traffic, transport, and excise systems will be linked and moved online. A traffic magistrate will be appointed to handle traffic law cases, according to the statement.
Earlier, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced that residents will continue to pay for vehicle parking until June, despite an earlier statement from Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon claiming that charged parking in the city had been abolished.
Last month, Memon had said the provincial cabinet decided to end charged parking in Karachi.
However, Mayor Wahab explained to the media on Sunday that stopping charged parking immediately is not legally possible. Speaking to reporters after opening a football ground in Gizri, he said, “We had announced the end of charged parking because it doesn’t bring in much money, but this step requires legal steps.”
He added that the companies managing charged parking have contracts that last until June. After that, the issue will be discussed in the city council. Wahab also said the contractors must follow rules and avoid double parking to prevent traffic jams.
