• Strict implementation of heavy traffic’s notified timings in city demanded
• Muttahida, JI urge govt to pay compensation to victims’ families
• Sharjeel says stakeholders agree not to politicise traffic tragedies
• 15 held for burning water tankers on University Road

KARACHI: Agreeing with the provincial government that the recent traffic accidents involving dumper trucks should not be used as a political rhetoric, three major opposition parties on Tuesday once again demanded strict implementation of the notified timings of heavy vehicles’ operation in the city.

The Sindh government invited representatives of the opposition Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Jamaat-i-Islami, Awami National Party and transporters at a meeting to discuss alarming rise in fatalities in road accidents involving heavy vehicles in the city, working hours of heavy transport and other issues.

The meeting, held on the instructions of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, was attended among others by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Dr Farooq Sattar of the MQM-P, Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi, ANP leader Shahi Syed, JI Karachi Deputy Ameer Muslim Pervez, Liaquat Mehsud of the Transporters Dumper Association, Sardar Abdul Hameed of the Water Tanker Association and Muhammad Ramzan of Karachi Goods Transport.

The meeting came against the backdrop of the public outrage on Monday when enraged citizen had set five water tankers on fire following the killing of a motorcyclist by a recklessly driven tanker.

Later, addressing a joint press conference, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the opposition parties and representatives of the transporters agreed with the provincial government that the traffic accidents were not a political issue and they should not be used as a political rhetoric.

Flanked by Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Dr Farooq Sattar, Shahi Syed, Ali Khurshidi, and Muslim Pervaiz, Mr Memon stated that the purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on and devise measures to prevent accidents. “All stakeholders presented their perspectives, and transporters also highlighted their concerns,” he added.

The minister stated that Monday’s incident had led to the chief minister expressing his anger, adding that everyone wanted peace and order to be maintained in the city. He emphasized that as Pakistanis, everyone must work together for the betterment of the country.

He also acknowledged that the challenges faced by the city remained a significant concern for the government.

The senior minister said that the heaviest traffic of the country ran in Karachi. “We have challenges, but it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that there is not a single accident,” he said, asking the transporters to tell their drivers to operate vehicles carefully.

Mr Memon said that it was agreed in the meeting that no provocative statements would be made from now on.

He said that 15 individuals involved in the arson incident were arrested on Monday.

MQM-P, JI for compensation

The MQM-P and JI urged the provincial government to give compensation to the families of the accident victims.

Dr Sattar said that the MQM-P followed a policy of non-violence. “There is a difference between giving a warning and violence,” he added.

He further said that more than 100 people had died in traffic accidents in the city, adding that these accidents were not a political or administrative problem, but a human issue.

He said that these accidents were not the issues related to language or ethnicity and added that “incidents of violence and arson are not appropriate. We are all sitting together to solve the problem.”

The MQM-P leader also said that the drivers responsible for the accidents should be arrested and justice should be provided to the families of the victims.

He said that water tankers should also be regulated and their timings should be fixed.

In a press statement, the JI once again demanded the provincial government to ensure that the heavy traffic, including dumpers and trailers, followed the timing decided for their entry in the city.

It said that the JI leaders reiterated the demand during the meeting with the government officials.

The party also stressed the need for compensation for the affected families and also demanded investigation into each incident in order to bring those who are responsible to full justice.

Mr Pervez said that there was a consensus in the meeting that compensation should be paid to the affected families.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025