Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon has announced the launch of a province-wide campaign to enforce traffic laws strictly, starting immediately.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Central Police Office on Thursday, he outlined that the campaign would initially focus on issuing warnings for violations until December 31.
From January 1, the enforcement measures will intensify, with vehicles being confiscated and criminal cases filed against repeat offenders in a bid to curb the increasing number of fatal road accidents. Highlighting the importance of driving licenses, IGP Memon stressed that driving without one is a criminal offense. To facilitate compliance, the police’s driving license branch has introduced an online facility to streamline the issuance of licenses and handle the expected surge in applicants.
The Sindh police chief warned that from January 1, a crackdown would begin where vehicles of first-time violators would be confiscated, and criminal cases would follow for repeat offenses. However, he instructed traffic police to avoid indiscriminate “general checking” to minimize public inconvenience.
Moreover, IGP Memon announced strict measures against aerial firing during New Year celebrations to prioritize public safety.
Addressing the issue, Additional IGP Karachi Javed Alam Odho revealed that Karachi has 6.5 million vehicles, including 4.2 million motorcycles. He noted that 57% of fatal accident victims in the city are motorcyclists, with a police survey showing that 75% of bikers are either underage or unlicensed.
“Bike riding by children and driving without a license by adults has become a serious social issue,” remarked Odho. To mitigate this, the campaign’s initial phase focuses on warnings to avoid creating long-term legal hurdles for minors. Criminal cases against underage offenders, he explained, could complicate their future opportunities, such as applying for jobs or traveling abroad.
