KARACHI: The Sindh government has set a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour for heavy traffic in Karachi and made drug tests mandatory for drivers to prevent accidents caused by heavy vehicles.
According to a private TV report, a meeting on traffic issues in Karachi was held under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Provincial ministers Saeed Ghani, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Zia Lanjar, and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, along with other officials, attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the Inspector General (IG) of Sindh briefed that in 2024, more than 1.6 million challans were issued in Karachi, fines worth 1.33 billion rupees were collected, actions were taken against over 512,000 vehicles, and 11,287 drivers were detained. Additionally, 650 FIRs were registered against drivers, and 7,555 fitness certificates were canceled.
The report stated that the Chief Minister expressed sadness over the rising road accidents in the city. He said that the loss of human lives is unbearable and that mothers are losing their children. He directed traffic and district police to work together to prevent road accidents.
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The Chief Minister instructed officials to check the driving licenses of all heavy vehicle drivers and make it mandatory to install trackers and dash cams in all large vehicles.
Murad Ali Shah said the speed limit for heavy transport vehicles in Karachi will be 30 kilometers per hour. The Transport Department, Excise, Licensing Authority, Traffic Police, and NADRA will be linked to ensure effective enforcement of traffic rules.
He also said that the Traffic Engineering Bureau will be reorganized and placed under the mayor. Driver training meeting international standards will be required before issuing driving licenses. A crackdown will be launched against illegal number plates, tinted windows, and unauthorized sirens and lights.
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According to the spokesperson, the Chief Minister directed action against motorcyclists not wearing helmets or carrying extra passengers. Murad Ali Shah said vehicles with canceled fitness certificates should be seized, and their reuse will depend on approval from the Transport Department.
The spokesperson added that the Chief Minister made drug tests mandatory for drivers of both heavy and light vehicles.
To ensure quick implementation of these decisions, Murad Ali Shah formed a high-level committee, which will be supervised by the IG Police.
