Strict action to be taken against unfit vehicles: Sharjeel

The Sindh government has decided to take strict action against physically unfit motor vehicles operating in the province.

Sindh Senior Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon has directed officials concerned to ensure the swift establishment of motor vehicle inspection (MVI) centres across Sindh.

A meeting of the Transport and Mass Transit Department was held in Karachi on Saturday with Senior Minister Memon in the chair to discuss effective implementation of the motor vehicle inspection system. The meeting was attended by Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, Managing-Director Sindh Mass Transit Authority Kamal Dayo, Secretary PTA Okash Memon, and other key officials.

The senior minister stated that the chief minister has already issued clear instructions regarding the implementation of the MVI system and vehicle registration. He emphasised that the MVI system should be fully operational within a month to ensure road safety and compliance with rules and regulations.

He said motor vehicle inspection has been made mandatory for heavy vehicles, including dumpers, trucks, buses, and trailers. To facilitate implementation, MVI centres will be established at four locations in Karachi. MVI centres will also be set up in the divisions of Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad.

Memon said the transport sector should be developed on modern lines, with vehicle safety standards ensured before they are allowed on the road. He emphasised that effective action would be taken against vehicles without fitness certificates, and for those with fake fitness certificates, criminal cases would be registered and their owners would be sent to jail.

Media briefing

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon on Saturday said influenza is spreading rapidly worldwide, including in Pakistan. He urged people to take precautionary measures similar to those used against Covid-19.

Holding a media briefing, Memon advised people to maintain social distance, wear masks, and avoid handshakes. Beginning with a sore throat, this disease can severely impact the lungs if proper precautions are not taken, he stressed.

He said the provincial assembly has passed the Amal Umar Act but many people are unaware of it. This law is in effect across the province and applies to everyone, he added.

He remarked that the purpose of enacting the Amal Umar Act is to ensure that in case of an emergency, people can seek treatment at any hospital without requiring any certificate.

He announced that a strict ban on the display of weapons would be enforced starting Monday (tomorrow), so anyone found displaying weapons would be arrested, and this applies to everyone, including officials of any force, such as the police, if they are in plain clothes.

He said the process of seizing unregistered vehicles would also begin tomorrow, and no vehicle would be allowed to leave any showroom unless it is registered.

Emphasising the importance of vehicle fitness, he said discussions with transporters have already taken place, and they have agreed to comply with all the regulations set by the government.

He also said people driving without a valid driving licence would be arrested. He warned parents that they must not allow their minor children to drive, as the minors caught driving would also be arrested.

Replying to a question, he clarified that no specific name is being considered for the education board chairman. He also said any citizen meeting the required educational standards can be appointed vice chancellor.

Responding to another query, he said he was not aware of any reconciliation between the parents of the girl who was raped in Khairpur and the suspects. He assured that no one would be pressured into settling such cases.

He claimed that Karachi is on its way to becoming the most modern city in Pakistan despite the existing challenges. He said that over 200 electric vehicles are actively involved in garbage collection, and work on Red Line is under way.

He mentioned that the Civil Aviation Authority is not permitting construction work on Red Line at several locations. He clarified that the delays in the project are not due to his transport department. He said that not a single step of progress was made during the caretaker government, terming it criminal negligence.

Memon said the cabinet has decided to present the bills returned by the governor in the PA again tomorrow. He noted that the relevant standing committees include Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan members.