The debilitating traffic congestion in the metropolis is not merely “bad” but represents a “full urban systems failure.
This was stated by Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor in a statement today. He asserted that while the frustrating situation is solvable, it requires more than superficial solutions like constructing more flyovers and underpasses.
According to a statement, Shakoor identified the city’s car-centric development over the past two to three decades as a core issue. He noted that policies have favored private car and motorcycle ownership over investment in public transportation, leading to an unsustainable number of vehicles for the existing road capacity. This is further exacerbated by the proliferation of ride-hailing bikes and delivery services clogging the streets, he added.
He pointed to the near absence of a functional mass transit system as a fundamental cause of the gridlock. While acknowledging the Green Line BRT as a positive first step, Shakoor criticized its limited corridor coverage and the suspension of its second phase, which he attributed to “political ego issues” between the Sindh government and Karachi”s mayor. The PDP leader also highlighted the lack of proper integration and limited feeder services for the existing BRT line, leaving the city of over 20 million people without a comprehensive, modern transit network.
Another significant factor contributing to the chaos is the collapse of traffic enforcement, Shakoor stated. He observed that traffic signals are largely ignored, lane discipline is non-existent, and public transport vehicles and motorcyclists frequently weave between lanes with impunity. The problem is compounded by illegal parking, which often obstructs entire lanes of traffic.
The city has also inherited a “dysfunctional road hierarchy,” the political figure remarked. He described a disorganized mix of inner residential streets, commercial corridors, and major arteries, which results in hazardous, random U-turns, unsafe pedestrian crossings, and persistent bottlenecks at major intersections.
Proposing realistic solutions, Shakoor emphasized the urgent need for an integrated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and feeder network. He called for the expansion of the Green Line into a citywide system, supported by feeder vans, timed transfers, and modern real-time arrival tracking. “Karachi doesn’t need European trams from day one – it needs reliable, frequent buses,” he contended.
The PDP Chairman demanded a robust campaign to reclaim roads from encroachments. He argued that clearing even a single encroached lane on major thoroughfares like M.A. Jinnah Road could drastically reduce travel times. Shakoor called for coordinated action between traffic police and municipal authorities to clear congested areas such as Saddar and Empress Market to improve pedestrian flow.
Implementing a modern traffic signal system is another key recommendation. Shakoor advocated for replacing manual control by traffic police with AI-driven adaptive signal timing, suggesting that the city”s existing central traffic monitoring centre is currently underutilized.
To address the “chaotic weaving” of motorcycles, which constitute a large portion of traffic, he suggested designating dedicated motorcycle lanes to reduce accidents and stabilize vehicle flow. Furthermore, he stressed that strict parking regulation, including zero tolerance for illegal parking on main roads and the construction of multi-story parking facilities in commercial zones, is essential.
Shakoor also urged investment in the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway, describing it as a potential backbone for the public transport system. He cautioned against relying on flyovers, stating they merely shift congestion points further down the road. “Karachi does not need to imitate Dubai or Singapore. Karachi needs to behave like a city, not a stretched-out car bazaar,” he concluded.