Islamabad 27 July: A Deadly bus crash near Balkasar leaves eight dead amid an alarming rise in Motorway accidents. 38,791 road accidents were recorded in Punjab in 2025 — a 29% increase from January 2024.
At least eight people, including three children, lost their lives and 18 others were injured early Sunday morning when a passenger bus overturned near the Balkasar Interchange on the M-2 Motorway, rescue officials confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred at approximately 7:13 a.m. when a Lahore-bound bus travelling from Islamabad suffered a front-left tyre burst. Rescue 1122 officials in Chakwal district said the blowout caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the vehicle flipping over with 35 to 40 passengers onboard.
Emergency teams arrived on site within five minutes, deploying six rescue vehicles and five ambulances to aid the injured. The dead included a 14-year-old girl, a 2-year-old child, and an 8-month-old infant. Injuries ranged from head trauma and fractures to abrasions.
38,791 road accidents were recorded in Punjab in 2025 — a 29% increase from January 2024.
All victims were shifted to the Trauma Centre in Kallar Kahar and the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Chakwal. No first aid cases were managed on site, as all passengers requiring assistance were immediately transported to hospitals.
The Motorway Police and rescue services completed recovery operations using cranes to lift and stabilize the wreckage. Authorities are investigating whether safety or maintenance lapses contributed to the crash.
🚨 Motorway Accident on the Rise in 2025
This fatal accident comes amid growing concerns over rising traffic collisions on Pakistan’s highways and motorways in 2025. According to official data and media reports, motorway and road accidents have surged this year, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and road safety reforms.
Below is a snapshot of recent traffic statistics from across the country:
Road & Motorway Accident Statistics (January–July 2025)
| Region | Time Period | Key Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab (all roads) | January 2025 | 38,791 crashes recorded — a 29% increase from Jan 2024 |
| Karachi (urban/sub) | Jan–May 2025 | 374 fatalities; 199 victims and 195 drivers were unlicensed |
| M-2 Motorway | March 2025 | 19 drivers booked for overspeeding above 140 km/h |
| M-4 Motorway | March 2025 | First-ever FIR filed for 173 km/h speeding; driver arrested |
| M-3 Motorway | May 2025 | Collision near Jaranwala left 3 dead, vehicles caught fire |
| National Highways | Up to July 2025 | Fatalities down by 50%, injuries down 30% (due to safety initiatives) |
⚠️ Key Causes and Government Response
Authorities cite overspeeding, tyre bursts, driver fatigue, and overloaded vehicles as the leading causes behind such incidents. In response, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) have ramped up enforcement, issuing FIRs and introducing electronic ticketing systems.
However, experts argue that while some gains have been made—especially on national highways—the enforcement and infrastructure on motorways still require significant upgrades, especially with the increasing volume of intercity travel.
