THE public transport dilemma in Pakistan encourages many to dream up out-of-the box solutions. While some of these solutions, such as the introduction of ride-sharing services in our cities, have eased the public’s burden to some extent, others, such as the proliferation of motorcycle-rickshaws, or Qingqis, raise valid questions of public safety. After the Sindh High Court had earlier ordered the vehicles off the roads, on Wednesday the Supreme Court allowed Qingqis to be operated across the country, but with an important caveat. Only those motorcycle-rickshaws that are produced by government-approved manufacturers will be allowed to ply the roads. Certainly, it can be argued that the livelihood of thousands of drivers who operate these vehicles is in question and that Qingqis offer commuters an affordable alternative to packed and too few buses, especially in Karachi. However, these concerns cannot trump the issue of safety, which is where these flimsy and dangerously unstable contraptions, that are essentially retrofitted motorcycles, fall far short of any acceptable standards of roadworthiness.

This where the court judgement could have gone further, for the state must do more than ensure that motorcycle-rickshaws that are allowed to operate are produced by government-approved manufacturers. It must also require these vehicles to have standardised structures certified by a body such as the Pakistan Engineering Development Board. This is essential if the life and limb of passengers is to be protected, for travelling at high speeds, Qingqis with their rickety structures can turn into deathtraps for commuters should a mishap occur. There is yet another aspect of safety that necessitates keeping souped-up Qingqis off the roads. Fashioned as they are from motorcycles, they provide a further impetus to the theft and snatching of two-wheelers. Taking the long view, the core of the problem remains that our cities, especially Karachi, lack a functioning public transport system. While ride-sharing apps are welcome, they are a drop in the ocean and out of reach for the lower-middle and working-class commuter.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2017