THE tragedy that took place in Karachi on Sunday is an awful reminder that Pakistan’s roads need cleaning up, that the law is not enforced and that society lacks awareness of even basic safety standards. Six people were burned to death when the van in which they were travelling suddenly exploded in flames. Two families had rented the vehicle for a trip to Hawkesbay beach. Some 11 persons were seated in the van and they stopped near the zoo to pick up more people. Hearing an odd noise from the engine, the driver stopped. According to the police, the battery had caught fire while there was also a gas leak from the CNG tank; even as some of the occupants poured water on the fire, the van exploded into a fireball. The six persons still in the vehicle were unable to open the door — typically this sort of vehicle has a sliding door — and were killed. As per the latest reports, a charge of manslaughter has been registered against the driver and the van’s owner. Both of them are in custody. Initial investigations show that the driver was under the influence of narcotics.

Regarding the culpability of these persons, the law will take its own course. However, the fact remains that while there are regulations on the books about vehicle safety and maintenance standards, especially those that are used for public transport, they are rarely, if ever, enforced. This is obvious from a cursory glance at the traffic on any of the country’s roads. Patently unfit vehicles of all sorts are in use, with the traffic police helpless in enforcing the law amidst the chaos that reigns supreme. Even so, the onus cannot be placed solely on the authorities; it is obvious that citizens themselves, including owners, operators and passengers of vehicles, remain unconcerned about their own and others’ safety. In terms of traffic safety, Pakistan is in a double bind, and it is difficult to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2017