In a significant move to enhance road safety and streamline motor vehicle regulations, Sindh’s Minister for Law and Home, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, chaired a pivotal meeting to discuss amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules.
The assembly brought together key stakeholders who deliberated on crucial changes aimed at improving traffic management and safety standards.
The meeting concluded with the introduction of mandatory fitness certifications for all vehicles, a decision to outsource vehicle evaluations to third-party entities, and a prohibition on the sale of tinted windows, fancy lights, and sirens both online and offline. These changes are anticipated to have a substantial impact on reducing traffic infractions and accidents across the region.
Throughout the session, the Secretary of Law, Secretary of Transport, and DIG Traffic Karachi provided detailed briefings on the essential amendments required for the Motor Vehicles Rules. The discussions also highlighted the necessity for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. Consensus was reached on banning four-seater rickshaws and mandating trackers and sensors for water tankers and dumpers, with a comprehensive draft to be submitted to the Government of Sindh for approval.
Hassan emphasized the engagement of third-party services for issuing fitness certificates and formalizing this process through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). To further alleviate traffic woes, only 1×2 seater rickshaws will be permitted on the roads, with hefty penalties approved for various violations. These include fines of PKR 200,000 for wrong-way driving by government vehicles, PKR 25,000 for motorcyclists violating traffic rules, and substantial fines for one-wheeling or drifting.
Additionally, the mandatory installation of surveillance cameras in heavy vehicles was sanctioned, with e-challans for traffic violations to be dispatched to the registered addresses of vehicle owners. A robust interlinked online system for traffic, transport, and excise will be established to streamline operations, and a dedicated Traffic Magistrate will be appointed to oversee traffic violation cases.
Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawala pledged full collaboration from the Excise Department in implementing these regulations and announced that no permits will be issued for larger rickshaws. A crackdown is planned against any non-compliant vehicles on the roads. The session, attended by high-ranking officials including the IGP Sindh and Secretaries of Law, Transport, and Excise, marks a decisive step towards enhancing road safety and regulatory compliance in Sindh.