WHEN government departments fail to do their jobs, citizens often have few places to turn to other than the judiciary, often the Supreme Court.

Two recent examples from Karachi have reaffirmed this as the apex court has stepped in to address law and order and civic issues.

On Monday, a Supreme Court bench in Karachi instructed the authorities to ensure that no vehicles with ‘applied for registration’ or fancy number plates and no non-duty paid vehicles plied the roads of Sindh.

Also read: Action against vehicles with AFR, fancy number plates ordered

The court has also issued a deadline for the removal of “dangerous” hoardings and billboards. Traffic police officials have told the court that “hundreds” of vehicles with ‘AFR’ or fancy number plates have been impounded, but a drive across Karachi will reveal that the law enforcers have much work ahead of them in this regard.

In this age of rampant crime and terrorism, allowing unregistered motorcycles and automobiles as well as vehicles with illegal plates to operate is totally unacceptable.

Criminals and militants use the apathy of the LEAs to their advantage, as a vehicle with an ‘AFR’ or fancy plate affixed to it is very difficult to trace. Also, should a vehicle with an improper plate get involved in an accident, problems can arise where the registration of a case is concerned.

As for dangerous signage, while outdoor advertising is a legitimate form of marketing, the way it is carried out in Karachi is problematic.

As the Supreme Court has observed, some outdoor advertising has encroached upon footpaths, leaving little space for hapless pedestrians, while some hoardings are so huge they end up obstructing the drivers’ view. In both these instances, the court’s orders must be followed as these are matters of public safety and well-being.

Traffic authorities must ensure that no vehicles with illegal plates are allowed on the road, while the excise department must also issue plates in a timely manner. Moreover, the civic bodies that control land in Karachi must ensure that all signage that threatens public safety is removed or conforms to safety standards.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2015

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