KARACHI: The city’s long-standing traffic chaos is set to face a high-tech test as authorities on Friday announced the introduction of smart traffic signals on major arteries.

While the plan is being hailed as a “significant step toward modernising the system”, it remains to be seen if technology can untangle one of the world’s most congested urban landscapes.

The decision was made during a meeting of the Karachi Traffic Management Company chaired by Mayor Murtaza Wahab. It was attended by senior officials, including Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jaffar and DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah.

A statement issued after the meeting said that several proposals were discussed and it was decided to keep all stakeholders on board.

“As the city government and a major institution, we will make every possible effort for the improvement of Karachi,” the statement quoted the mayor as saying. “If traffic is regulated effectively, half of the problems will be resolved on their own. Along with improving the city’s roads, large-scale work will also be carried out on traffic signals.”

The officials at the meeting agreed to install smart signals on various roads, with the mayor announcing that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will take the lead on installing advanced signals on I.I. Chundrigar Road, city’s primary financial hub.

Additionally, a plan was approved to transform M. A. Jinnah Road into a “smart road” for which the KMC will allocate Rs20 million.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2026