Separate track for motorcyclists on Karachi's Sharea Faisal launched

E-Paper | June 06, 2026

Police authorities on Saturday announced the launch of a separate lane for motorcyclists on the arterial Sharea Faisal road in Karachi.

“A separate ‘yellow lane’ has been launched for motorbikes on Sharea Faisal from Saturday (today),” said Additional IG Karachi Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh.

Talking to reporters, the Karachi police chief said it would be mandatory for all bike-riders to wear helmets while an awareness campaign to this effect will also be launched.

"This is the first time that a separate track is being made for motorbikes alongside main corridor of the city. This being a model project, other major corridors will also be provided with such tracks for motorbike users," Mayor Wasim Akhtar had said last month. The track will cover the entire distance from Malir Halt to Metropole Hotel, he added.

AIG Shaikh revealed that efforts were underway to set up a separate lane for heavy vehicles on Mai Kolachi road as well.

Separately, DIG Traffic Karachi Javed Ali Mahar in a meeting with the ‘traffic enforcement unit’ of Sharea Faisal directed police officers to ensure that all motorcyclists ride their two-wheelers in the separate lane while wearing helmets. People travelling in cars must wear seat belts as well, said a spokesperson for the traffic police.

‘Three model roads’

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Sindh Dr Syed Kaleem Imam has directed the Karachi police chief to turn Sharea Faisal, Abdullah Haroon Road (between Metropole signal and Do Talwar roundabout) and I.I. Chundrigar Road into "model roads" with zero tolerance for violation of traffic rules.

The provincial police chief through a letter has also asked AIG Shaikh to persuade owners of petrol pumps located within the limits of these model roads to ensure that "no fuel is sold to any motorcyclist not wearing a helmet".

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Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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Waqar

Dec 01, 2018 09:31pm

A brilliant initiative by Sindh Government. Let's hope the implementation is ensured

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ALI

Dec 01, 2018 09:34pm

Still have doubt on its implementation

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Asfand

Dec 01, 2018 09:49pm

Wonderful action and adherence must be enforced . Kudos to the Police department

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Bitter truth

Dec 01, 2018 09:49pm

This time Sindh Govt performing better keep it up.

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Akbar

Dec 01, 2018 09:50pm

this will not change the mindset of the people, we will still see other vehicles in this lane, this is like 15 minutes of fame.

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javed Qamer Engineer Washington DC

Dec 01, 2018 09:57pm

Finally Pakistan is showing signs of improvement. Keep up the good work.

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A shah

Dec 01, 2018 10:01pm

It’s not even half a mile long

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Chinpaksaddique

Dec 01, 2018 10:07pm

Great news. PMIK delivering all his promises

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Dec 01, 2018 10:19pm

Great move by the authorities to earmark and dedicate a separate "bike only" lane as a pioneering model and benchmark on Shahrah-e-Faisal, the main artery of roads in Karachi, the biggest and historic city of Karachi, Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Well done and keep it up. Maybe, others could follow suit.

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Justicefirst

Dec 01, 2018 10:25pm

Two things can be implemented without any difficulty.1)Any motorcyclist without helmet,the motorcycle to be confiscated till the owner return back with helmet.2)No petrol to motorcyclist without helmet.

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Ahmed

Dec 01, 2018 10:33pm

It is undoubtedly a good move by Sind police. Now time is to make sure that these two wheeler stay within their boundaries. And if anyone found violating shall be prosecuted.

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Farooq Khan

Dec 01, 2018 10:51pm

good start, keep it up, take it seriously, keep this thoughtfulness moving forward

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ali

Dec 01, 2018 10:57pm

There are so many good laws on paper but are hardly implemented because of awareness these laws and corruption.

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Dec 01, 2018 11:02pm

Kudos Sindh Govt.

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Fawad Ali

Dec 01, 2018 11:20pm

A very Good Initiative but now it's the responsibility of the Bikers to obey and become role model for other bikers in the countries. I am sure it will decrease the ration of accidents.

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Khany

Dec 01, 2018 11:24pm

Hope Cycle lane is created too.

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ABE

Dec 01, 2018 11:27pm

Nevertheless, you will still find buses, trucks, cars and rickshaws on these lanes as well. In a society where hardly anyone drives straight within a lane, or pays attention to signals, pedestrian crossing, traffic lights or no parking zones, don't expect only bikes on these lanes. Lack of education and discipline is the major cause which hampers progress in this society.

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Ahsan Gul

Dec 02, 2018 12:27am

Good initiative. Hopefully, our public gets more mature like in western countries. People are people and our citizens are more intelligent and law abiding provided good training. Sad that no previous governments have this kind of mindset.

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Ali

Dec 02, 2018 12:33am

Excellent. Now not only their life would be safe, they would not be a hassle any more zig zagging on roads which was dangerous for other motorists. Other cities should follow this good safety example.

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zarrar

Dec 02, 2018 12:52am

These tracks will soon be fade out due to heavy traffic and lack of maintenance. Secondly, it requires a high number of traffic police personnel since our wild motorcyclists are so habitual of unruly driving that it would be hard to tame them to the discipline riding.

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WayToGo

Dec 02, 2018 01:31am

Good work for karachi people to be good too...

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Danish

Dec 02, 2018 01:55am

With the yellow line rubber cones should be installed in order to prevent undesired vehicles to enter either track.

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abbas H moledina

Dec 02, 2018 02:49am

make karachi like chicag divide karachi in different VIllage name them, make boundries ( village limit) each village should have Police station and village office (to collect vehicle tax, water bills, electric bills garbage collecting bill those money should be spent on that particular village and like wise to different village and membera should be elected from same locality on 1 year term basis, all documents vehicles should be registered by karachi province and they should collect registration tax and village should get tax too and get sticker to be placed on windshield and state tax sticker should be displaced on number plate, and each village should govern seperately by laws and have their own budget, money should be collected from shop keeper by filing their income tax to karachi province and certain percentage should be given to each village. salary of police should be enhanced so they will be no corruption all payment should done by checks and or on line to all department, they should be each fire brigade station and ambulance so police could call in time of every accident. further i shall write to u later about how it will work smoothly

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Salim Badruddin

Dec 02, 2018 03:05am

We still need traffic signals for the safety of pedestrians. Very very hard for seniors to cross the road. Thanks.

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Salim Badruddin

Dec 02, 2018 03:07am

We still need traffic signals for the safety of pedestrians. Very very hard for seniors to cross the road. Thanks.

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Ahmed, lahore

Dec 02, 2018 06:00am

Perfecto! This is a great step. We need to get this implemented in all major cities and on every road. There is however one area of concern that authorities need to focus: pedestrians crossing the roads from any place they like. This also should be discouaged.

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Spartan

Dec 02, 2018 06:22am

A good initiative but the nation is not civilized enough to follow any law. People take pride in breaking laws.

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Anwar Hussaini

Dec 02, 2018 06:25am

Recently i was in Karachi, i was driving a rented car, i was so frustrated with Bike riders riding middle of road, i was so scared to hit them, as they don't ride straight, and blocking my ride and speed, Please police make sure people follow, fine those who dont follow, use that money to improve roads, Police should put some incentives to make this work

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FAIRTALK

Dec 02, 2018 08:34am

This is a good decision by the authorities to manage ever increasing traffic. If implemented properly this will definitely reduce traffic accidents involving motorbikes. Good job.

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Hammad

Dec 02, 2018 08:35am

The government should work towards improving public transportation so that this dangerous means of transport can be banned from at least main roads. Sadly most persons riding on bikes have no sense of respect for anyone or any laws. I have sincere doubts that they would comply. Instead of a yellow border perhaps they should have installed large cat eyes as this would discourage anyone moving in or out of the designated lane. It’s a good effort let’s hope and see if it succeeds.

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Nawaz

Dec 02, 2018 10:46am

Fantastic idea. This is the only way to make the roads safe and minimise fatal accident. The scheme should be extended to all major roads. Lane discipline may also be enforced through raffic cameras and regular patrols.

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Shan Kazmi

Dec 02, 2018 01:02pm

Impossible

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Naveed

Dec 02, 2018 02:33pm

It's really admirable...big cities particularly federal dire need of such a action...

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Hassan Mansoor

Dec 02, 2018 08:38pm

Great initiative however, implementation will be the key. Motorists also need to be educated about wearing seat belts and adhering to lane discipline.

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