ANOTHER tragedy that could have been avoided happened near Mianwali a few days ago. The gas cylinder of an ambulance exploded after it collided with a tanker killing nine persons in the ambulance.

Pakistan has a high ratio of deaths in road accidents as traffic safety codes are mostly ignored, especially by public transport operators. The government has banned public passenger vehicles to use compressed natural gas as fuel. However, public transport operators ignore the directive. As a result, accidents because of explosion of gas cylinders are a routine and countless lives have been lost.

For the people’s safety, the government should take strict action against public vehicles using natural gas. If the transporters don’t listen, their vehicles should be impounded and the gas kits and cylinders removed by force. Those transporters caught operating vehicles on natural gas should face stiff penalties and jail terms.

Iftikhar Mirza

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2019