Decision to further tighten traffic rules in Sindh

KARACHI:
The Sindh Transport Department has formally initiated the process to amend the Motor Vehicle Rules of 1969 in an effort to reduce road accidents and traffic violations across the province, including Karachi. Under the proposed amendments, all passenger and goods transport vehicles operating in Sindh will be required to install tracking systems.

Cameras will also be installed at various points inside these vehicles to monitor their movement, surrounding road conditions, and unsafe driving behavior. The tracking systems and monitoring devices installed in every Light Transport Vehicle (LTV) and Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) will be accessible to the traffic police.

The Sindh Assembly passed the Provincial Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2025 in its last session. Following this legislation, the Transport Department is now working to amend the Motor Vehicle Rules of 1969. As part of this formal process, the public has been given 15 days to submit objections before the amendments are finalized.

According to the proposed changes, heavy fines will be imposed on all water tankers, dumpers, and other goods transport vehicles operating in Karachi without a valid fitness certificate. Commercial vehicles older than 20 years will not be allowed to enter the province via inter-provincial routes. Similarly, vehicles over 25 years old will be banned from operating on intra-city routes within the province. Vehicles found violating these rules may be seized, and their registration may be temporarily suspended.

The Sindh government has faced public and political pressure due to frequent accidents involving heavy vehicles in Karachi. Unofficial data suggests that over 500 lives have been lost in road accidents in the city this year alone.

As a result, the government has been compelled to tighten traffic laws. However, poor enforcement of these laws remains a major challenge.