4 days ago
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Sindh moves to enforce stricter traffic laws
The Sindh Transport Department has formally initiated the process to amend the Motor Vehicle Rules 1969 in an effort to curb road accidents and traffic violations across the province, including Karachi. Under the proposed amendments, all passenger and goods transport vehicles operating in Sindh will be required to install tracking systems.
Cameras will also be installed at various points inside these vehicles to monitor their movement, surrounding road conditions, and unsafe driving behaviour. The tracking systems and monitoring devices installed in every LTV (Light Transport Vehicle) and HTV (Heavy Transport Vehicle) will be accessible to the traffic police.
The Sindh Assembly has already passed the Provincial Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2025 in its last session. Based on that legislation, the Transport Department is now working to amend the Motor Vehicle Rules 1969. As part of the formal process, the public has been given 15 days to submit objections before the amendments are finalised.
According to the proposed changes, heavy fines will be imposed on all water tankers, dumpers, and other goods transport vehicles operating in Karachi without a valid fitness certificate. Commercial vehicles older than 20 years will not be allowed to enter the province via inter-provincial routes. Similarly, vehicles over 25 years old will be banned from operating on intra-city routes within the province. Vehicles found violating these rules may be seized, and their registration may be temporarily suspended.
The Sindh government has been under public and political pressure due to frequent accidents involving heavy vehicles in Karachi. Unofficial data suggests that over 500 lives have been lost in road accidents in the city this year alone.
As a result, the government has been compelled to tighten traffic laws. However, a major issue remains the poor enforcement of these laws.
