Karachi was plunged into turmoil late Monday after a motorcyclist lost his life in a collision with a speeding water tanker near Jail Chowrangi, highlighting persistent road safety issues in Pakistan’s largest city.
The accident incited public fury, resulting in the torching of five water tankers at the scene. Firefighters quickly intervened, dousing the flames and averting further damage.
In response to the tragic event and the subsequent public outrage, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar urgently demanded a comprehensive report from police authorities regarding the accident and the violent aftermath. Minister Lanjar also called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and proactive measures to prevent future incidents.
This incident comes against a backdrop of increasing traffic fatalities in Karachi, with over 100 deaths reported in the last two months alone. Many of these fatalities involved heavy vehicles, prompting the Sindh government to restrict their movement within city limits to nighttime hours, specifically from 11 PM to 6 AM, to enhance road safety.
شہر قائد میں نامعلوم افراد نے جیل چورنگی کے قریب پانچ سے زائد ٹینکر کو نظر آتش کر دیا۔
موقع پر موجود شہریوں کا کہنا تھا کہ معاملہ کسی موٹر سائیکل کو ٹکر مارنے کے بعد پیش آیا @KarachinewsA
کچھ لوگوں نے سفید رنگ کا پاؤڈر لے رکھا تھا جس کے باعث ٹینکرز میں فوری آگ بھڑک اٹھی۔ pic.twitter.com/xH4m8W13Ru
— AD (@Ad8876) February 17, 2025Sindh Government Takes Decisive Action
Following a series of fatal accidents involving dump trucks earlier in the month, Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon outlined additional safety measures during a press briefing on February 13. The new regulations mandate the fitness and registration of all heavy vehicles and prohibit those lacking valid fitness certificates.
Moreover, the Sindh Water Board has introduced a barcode system for all registered water tankers, ensuring that only vehicles meeting safety standards are operating. Unregistered vehicles will face immediate seizure, and previously registered vehicles are subject to re-evaluation to maintain stringent safety norms.
Read: Sharjeel Memon Accuses MQM of Instigating Violence in Karachi
The Sindh government has also adjusted the operational hours for dumper trucks, now only allowing their movement from 10 PM to 6 AM. This change aims to reduce congestion and improve safety during peak traffic hours.
Minister Memon emphasized that the responsibility for preventing road mishaps is shared among the government, drivers, and the general public, dismissing the notion that the blame lies solely with a single entity or institution. He reiterated that the regulations regarding vehicle fitness are longstanding and announced plans to outsource the transport department to streamline enforcement and compliance.
