Authorities in Sindh have taken action against more than 56,200 commercial vehicles deemed unfit for road use, collecting fines totalling Rs82.168 crore during a crackdown in 2025.
According to an official report today, the measures are part of a major overhaul of the province”s vehicle inspection system, which is now fully computerised to enhance transparency and safety, according to Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
Speaking in the Sindh Assembly, the minister detailed that the previous manual system for issuing fitness certificates was flawed, with improper records and instances of vehicles from other provinces obtaining certification in Sindh. Now, no vehicle can operate without a computerised fitness certificate, with inspection centres established across the province.
Statistics revealed that among the vehicles penalised were 2,935 dumpers, 2,138 oil tankers, 13,918 trawlers, and 30,917 trucks. Similarly, the route permit system for public transport has been automated, eliminating the use of fraudulent permits and ensuring complete government records are maintained.
To improve public transport, the Sindh government is in the process of purchasing 500 new buses, with some already at the port. This is part of a broader strategy to enhance transport facilities, which includes ongoing work on mass transit projects like the Red Line and Yellow Line, where 95 per cent of expenditure is allocated to infrastructure.
Daily ridership on existing government bus services has reached approximately 200,000 people, while the Green Line has seen its daily passenger count increase to between 80,000 and 85,000. The Orange and Green Lines have been integrated to provide a single-fare journey for commuters.
In Karachi, 12 new traffic signals have been installed in various locations, including Model Colony, Guru Mandir, and Steel Town. The minister noted that a smart traffic system is also being developed, with a mix of automatic and manual signals deployed based on traffic flow requirements.
The provincial government has also focused on women”s mobility through the introduction of the Pink Bus service and a scheme to provide free EV scooties to women with valid motorcycle driving licences. Mr Memon stated that since the scheme”s announcement, 15,000 women have applied for a licence, a significant increase from the 150 who previously held one.
Other transport initiatives include a free shuttle service, operated by transporters at no cost to the government, that ferries passengers to the main Karachi Bus Terminal from former bus stands that were relocated to ease city congestion. Additionally, clear directives have been issued to the Health Department regarding the controlled use of sirens and lights on ambulances.
During the session, the House also unanimously approved a resolution presented by the senior minister to hold the 7th CPA Asia Regional Conference and 2nd Joint CPA Asia and South-East Asia Regional Conference in 2026.