The Sindh government on Friday banned four-seater rickshaws in Karachi, while a decision has been made to impose heavy fines on both government and private vehicles, including motorcycles, for wrong-way driving violations.
The announcement came during a meeting chaired by Sindh Minister for Interior and Law, Zia Lanjar, which focused on amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules. Attendees included the Inspector General of Sindh Police, the Law Secretary, the Transport Secretary, and other senior officials.
Key decisions from the meeting included making vehicle fitness mandatory for both commercial and non-commercial vehicles, and approving amendments to enforce a complete ban on four-seater rickshaws.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Zia Lanjar said that vehicle fitness inspections would be conducted through third parties.
Rickshaw operators will be required to obtain roadworthiness permits. A government vehicle violating the one-way rule will incur a fine of Rs. 200,000, while a motorcycle rider violating the same will be fined Rs. 25,000. First-time violations involving one-wheeling or drifting will carry a fine of Rs. 100,000, increasing to Rs. 200,000 and Rs. 300,000 for repeat offenses.
For four-wheeled vehicles, a one-way violation will result in a Rs. 100,000 fine. Moreover, freight vehicles must be equipped with at least five cameras. The proposed amendments will be presented to the Sindh Cabinet for final approval.
The Law Minister also said that water tankers and dumpers must have trackers and sensors installed. Driving without a license will lead to fines of Rs. 25,000 for motorcycles and Rs. 50,000 for cars. The meeting also decided to ban the sale of black-tinted windows, fancy lights, and sirens, both online and in physical stores.
Lanjar further announced that traffic e-challans would be sent to vehicle owners’ residential addresses. The traffic, transport, and excise departments will be interconnected. Vehicles with unpaid traffic fines will not be allowed to be transferred or sold. Additionally, a traffic magistrate will be appointed to handle traffic law violation cases.
