KARACHI, Aug 1: Sindh Minister for Transport Mohammad Adil Siddiqui has taken strict notice of the increasing rate of traffic accidents and said that a bill would be tabled in the Sindh assembly under which the errant vehicles involved in accidents would be confiscated.

The vehicles, he added, would be sold to pay compensation to affectees. The minister was presiding over a meeting of the supreme council of an association of transporters at the committee room of the assembly building here on Sunday.

Mr Siddiqui said that the government was making all out efforts for the implementation of a safe and effective traffic system in the province. For the purpose, he added, a policy was being formulated and recommendations from transporters sought.

He warned transporters in clear terms that violation of law on their part would not be tolerated. He said the government had resolved to maintain law and order throughout the province, particularly in Karachi, at all costs. No transport strike would be permitted in future, he declared.

Considering transporters' demand, the minister said, the government was trying to stabilize diesel prices. He pointed out that no fluctuation in diesel prices was observed over the last few months.

"Fuel prices fluctuate throughout the country but it affects Karachi the most,", he observed. Transport Secretary Nasir Hayat informed the meeting that issuance of LTV and HTV licences had been made conditional with a six-month driving course from a driving school and a licence-holder would have to undergo this course after every three years.

Chairman of the supreme council Yousaf Shahwani said that encroachments on roads were one of the major causes of traffic accidents. He stressed on immediate removal of encroachments.

The transporters demanded allocation of space for a general bus stand in the city. They drew the minister's attention to their demand for similar facilities for buses and trucks along all the three highways connecting Karachi with interior Sindh and Balochistan.

The minister assured them that he would approach Federal Minister Babar Khan Ghauri for the resolution of their problems. Excise and Taxation Secretary Subhan Memon, Additional IGP Asad Jehangir, DIG Traffic Yamin Khan, as well as DIG Highways, Chairman KPT, police chief of Motorway Hyderabad, GM Logistics of PSO and other officials were among those who attended the meeting. -PPI