Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Thursday informed the media about the decisions taken by a meeting, chaired by the chief minister earlier in the day, to tackle traffic issues, including rising road accidents.
He said 80,000 number plates are ready for collection, but many vehicle owners have yet to obtain them. A 30-day grace period has been given for heavy traffic vehicles to obtain a fitness certificate, he said, adding that vehicles entering Sindh from other provinces will also be required to obtain a fitness certificate from Sindh authorities. Certificates issued by Punjab, Balochistan, or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will not be considered valid in Sindh, he added.
Memon said that in the meeting, the CM made several important decisions with the consensus of all relevant departments. The Sindh government has decided to take immediate action regarding the fitness and registration of all heavy traffic vehicles, he added.
He said motor vehicle inspectors (MVI) were already present in the transport department, and now this process was being further accelerated. It is now mandatory for every heavy vehicle, including large transport vehicles, to have a valid fitness certificate.
He said vehicles without a fitness certificate will not be allowed on the roads. Our first priority in this regard is heavy vehicles. The transport department will ensure that all heavy traffic vehicles, including trailers, tankers, buses, and dumpers, undergo proper inspection and verification. Any vehicle that does not meet the fitness standards will not be permitted to operate.
During the meeting, the excise minister said that 80,000 number plates are ready for collection, but many vehicle owners have yet to obtain them. Through this press conference, Sharjeel Memon said, he requested vehicle owners to collect their number plates from the Excise Department to avoid any inconvenience on the roads. “Many people complain that the government does not provide number plates, but I want to clarify that these plates are available and ready for distribution. Please ensure compliance with regulations and collect them immediately to avoid potential fines.”
Memon said the water board has also implemented a barcode system for all registered water tankers operating from authorized hydrants. These barcodes are issued to vehicles that meet fitness standards. Any vehicle operating without a barcode will be confiscated. Additionally, the fitness of vehicles that were previously issued barcodes will be re-evaluated.
Furthermore, all unregistered vehicles will be immediately seized. Individuals involved in the water transport business must register their vehicles with the water board. No unregistered vehicle will be allowed to operate in the city.
He said that a 30-day grace period has been given for heavy traffic vehicles to obtain a fitness certificate. Vehicles entering Sindh from other provinces will also be required to obtain a fitness certificate from Sindh authorities. Certificates issued by Punjab, Balochistan, or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will not be considered valid in Sindh. The Punjab government has already enforced a similar law requiring fitness certificates for vehicles. Similarly, the Sindh government has now made it mandatory for all heavy traffic vehicles operating within the province to obtain certification from the Sindh government.
Memon stated that the Sindh government had previously taken action against unregistered vehicles. The Sindh Assembly has already passed a law prohibiting showroom owners from selling vehicles without registration. This measure was introduced to streamline the process and increase government revenue. The law is in effect, and all showroom owners must comply with it. Any vehicle purchased from a showroom must be registered before leaving the premises. If an unregistered vehicle is found on the roads, it will be confiscated, and the showroom responsible for its sale will be sealed.
He added that from Monday onward, strict enforcement of this law will begin. If any showroom allows an unregistered vehicle to leave their premises, the vehicle will be confiscated, and the showroom will face legal consequences.
He urged showroom owners to comply with this law, as it applies equally to all citizens. “You can sell vehicles, but they must be registered before being delivered to customers.”
Memon said the government is committed to ensuring road safety and proper vehicle regulation, and we will continue to take necessary steps to effectively implement these policies. If someone purchases ten cars from a company for investment purposes, it will be mandatory to transport the vehicles using a trailer or car carrier.
“Once the cars reach the showroom, they can only be delivered to a customer after being registered. Failure to comply with this rule will result in legal action. If a showroom owner sells a car to another showroom owner, they must obtain a receipt. Additionally, if an unregistered vehicle is driven on the road, both parties involved will be held accountable.”
The senior minister stated that two types of vehicles arrive at Karachi’s port in relation to imported vehicles. The first type consists of vehicles meant for the Sindh province, and the same law must be applied to them. These vehicles cannot leave the port until they are registered. If they are being taken to a showroom, they must be transported using a car carrier. Any unregistered vehicle leaving the showroom will be confiscated.
He said the second type includes vehicles intended for other provinces. These vehicles must also be transported using car carriers and are not allowed on regular roads. The Sindh government has implemented a zero-tolerance policy on this matter, prohibiting the operation of unregistered vehicles within the city.
He stated that regarding the Revo and Vigo vehicles, previously, if a vehicle was for commercial use, a 1% tax was applied, while a 4% tax was imposed for personal use. However, the government has now standardized the tax rate for all vehicles, regardless of their intended use. Some individuals falsely claimed that their vehicles were for loading purposes but used them personally.
The Excise Department will now ensure the appropriate tax is applied. Any double-cabin vehicle must be registered, and the applicable tax must be paid. However, the tax rate for single-cabin vehicles will remain lower.
Memon stated that a strict ban has been imposed on the open display of weapons. The government has stated that only uniformed police officers are permitted to display weapons. Any security personnel, whether from government or private agencies, found displaying weapons will face strict legal action. A dedicated campaign to enforce this regulation will begin on Monday. Any plainclothes officer found displaying weapons will also face legal action.
He stated that the government has ordered the removal of sirens and police lights from both private and government vehicles. Any vehicle found using police lights or similar items will be confiscated. Even government vehicles will not be allowed to have police lights.
To address the issue of unauthorized sales, vendors selling police lights, sirens, or similar items have been given two days, until Sunday, to stop selling these products. Starting Monday, station house officers will have the authority to seal any shop selling such items. The government’s goal is to eliminate the root cause of this issue. Vendors are urged to immediately remove these items from their premises, as possession of these items will be considered a crime. The aim is not to harm anyone but to ensure adherence to government regulations.
Moreover, a strict crackdown against fake number plates is also ongoing. The traffic police are intensifying their efforts to regulate driving licenses. Anyone found driving without a valid licence will face immediate arrest. The government is also targeting underage drivers. Parents are urged to prevent their children under 18 from driving, as they will be held responsible for any violations. The Sindh government is taking stringent measures to enforce these laws with zero tolerance.
He said the purpose of these actions is not to create difficulties for the public but to ensure road safety and uphold the law. No individual, regardless of their position or influence, will be exempt from these regulations. Ministers, MNAs, lawyers, journalists, and other influential personalities will also be held accountable. The law is supreme, and its enforcement will be strict and unwavering. The government is ready to implement these laws, and there will be no leniency. The ultimate goal is to prevent accidents, save lives, and promote a culture of compliance with legal regulations.
CM House meeting
An important meeting was held at the CM House on Thursday under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on traffic issues and increasing road accidents.
The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Minister for Excise Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Minister for Home Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Secretary Energy Mosaddiq Khan, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Excise Saleem Rajput, Secretary Law Ali Ahmed Baloch and Secretary Transport Asad Zamin.
The CM expressed concern over the increasing traffic accidents in the city and issued strict instructions to the excise, local government, traffic police and district police departments through the IGP.
He took important decisions regarding vehicle fitness, traffic management and road safety to prevent accidents. He directed Information Minister Sharjeel Memon to inform the public about the decisions taken in the meeting through a press conference and to raise public awareness regarding traffic rules and road safety.