Islamabad, Dec 21: Sindh Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Memon has identified reckless driving and lax adherence to traffic laws as the primary causes of Karachi’s persistent traffic woes, dismissing the notion that heavy vehicles like dumpers are solely to blame.
In an interview on a private news channel, Memon highlighted flaws in Pakistan’s licensing system, remarking, “Vehicles don’t cause accidents on their own; the real issue is how licenses are issued to drivers.” He criticized the country’s lenient regulations and underscored the need for stricter protocols to improve road safety.
Memon emphasized adopting global standard operating procedures (SOPs) for traffic management, pointing out the neglect of mandatory vehicle fitness tests. To address these gaps, he announced that starting December 1, the Transport Department would enforce a new mechanism aimed at ensuring better compliance with traffic regulations.
The minister also called on traffic police to intensify checks and impose substantial fines on violators, noting that heavy penalties are an international standard for fostering compliance. He questioned why Pakistanis, who abide by traffic rules abroad, fail to do so within their own country.
Expressing optimism, Memon asserted that prioritizing driver behavior and closing enforcement loopholes would significantly alleviate Karachi’s traffic challenges, including those associated with heavy vehicles.
