Karachi industrialists call for urgent traffic reforms

KARACHI: Business leaders have urged the government to improve traffic management across Karachi to facilitate cargo movement and reduce accidents, warning that the current system is hampering trade and risking lives.

The call comes as the local administration extended a ban on heavy vehicle movement from 6am to 10pm for another two months, following a spike in fatal road accidents. Currently, cargo is restricted to select highways, with delays in goods transport and export shipments.

Industrialists stressed the need to expedite road repairs, remove encroachments and implement AI-backed surveillance to monitor speeding and traffic violations.

They also called for collaboration with trade bodies to ensure truck fitness and driver training.“Pakistan aims to boost exports to $35 billion, which requires a seamless logistics network,” said Pervaiz Masood, president of SITE Superhighway Association. He urged the government to accelerate Safe City projects and enforce traffic rules more strictly.Leaders also proposed limiting public events past 10pm and increasing public transport options to ease congestion and ensure safer roads for industrial workers and citizens alike.