KARACHI: The Sindh government on Friday announced a comprehensive enforcement campaign against public service vehicles across the province, directing all transport authorities to launch immediate checking drives and seize vehicles operating without digitised route permits, valid fitness certificates and mandatory fire extinguishers.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, who also holds the portfolios of information, transport and mass transit, said the move aimed to address serious threats to passenger safety posed by widespread violations in the public transport sector.

The crackdown comes amid growing public complaints about unsafe and poorly maintained buses, vans and coaches operating in Karachi and other districts of Sindh.

According to a press statement, the senior minister directed the provincial and regional transport authorities, all District Regional Transport Authorities (DRTAs), and the Motor Vehicle Inspection Wing to begin strict inspections immediately.

Transport authorities told to seize unfit vehicles, cancel manual route permits and take action against repeat offenders

The departments have also been told to submit a detailed fortnightly report to the transport department, outlining the actions taken and recommendations for further improvement.

The senior minister said that digitised route permits of all public service vehicles would be verified, while manual permits would be declared invalid and cancelled. “A comprehensive list of violating vehicles and operators is to be prepared,” he said.

He warned that legal action, including fines, suspension of route permits and cancellation of licenses, would be taken against violators where necessary.

He ordered that vehicles found operating without valid fitness certificates be seized on the spot. “Operators found to be repeat offenders should be recommended for blacklisting,” he added.

Highlighting another major lapse, the senior minister said that many public service vehicles were plying without fire extinguishers, which he termed a direct risk to passengers. “The presence of a functioning fire extinguisher, in accordance with prescribed safety standards, is mandatory in all public service vehicles,” he said.

Mr Memon directed the motor vehicle inspectors to conduct surprise inspections and take immediate action in case of any violation. “No public service vehicle can be allowed to operate on the roads without meeting the mandatory safety requirements, as the protection of the lives and property of passengers is the government’s top priority,” he ordered.

Officials said the fortnightly reporting mechanism was being introduced to ensure accountability and to track the progress of the enforcement drive across all districts.

They said the transport department had been tasked with compiling the data received from DRTAs and the inspection wing, and submitting consolidated reports with proposals for policy improvements.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2026