Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon announced the launch of a campaign aimed at strict enforcement of traffic laws, effective immediately, during a press conference at the Central Police Office on Thursday. The campaign will run until December 31, during which only warnings will be issued for violations.

Beginning January 1, vehicles will be confiscated, and criminal cases will be filed against offenders across Sindh in a bid to tackle the rising number of fatal accidents.

At the press conference, Memon emphasized that driving without a license is a crime and highlighted the importance of obtaining a driving license to prevent accidents. To facilitate this, the police’s driving license (DL) branch has initiated an online facility for issuing licenses, aimed at managing the influx of applicants.

From January 1, a crackdown will commence, targeting first-time offenders whose vehicles will be confiscated. In a second phase, criminal cases will be lodged against repeat violators. However, IGP Memon instructed traffic police not to conduct general checks to minimize public inconvenience.

The Sindh police chief also announced stringent measures against aerial firing during New Year celebrations, underscoring the police’s commitment to public safety. Additional IGP Karachi, Javed Alam Odho, noted that Karachi has approximately 6.5 million vehicles, including 4.2 million motorcycles, and that motorcyclists account for 57% of fatal accident victims. A recent survey revealed that 75% of bike riders were either underage or unlicensed.

To address this issue, the city police chief urged parents not to allow their children to ride motorcycles, as this could significantly reduce the number of fatal accidents.

DIG Traffic Ahmed Nawaz Cheema reported that 800 FIRs, including 355 for fatal accidents, have been registered in Karachi this year. Some cases have resulted in litigation, while others were resolved through compromises.

DIG (Driving License) Iqbal Dara claimed that the influence of the ‘agent mafia’ at DL branches has been eradicated. He stated that the pass rate for aspiring drivers in academic tests is 92%, while it is 80% for physical tests, and the online facility has reduced applicant burdens by 60%.

In response to inquiries, IGP Memon expressed satisfaction with the feedback on the online license issuing process and challenged the media to investigate any issues at the DL branches. He acknowledged that Punjab is also implementing a similar initiative.

Memon reiterated that the police do not wish to inconvenience the public or disrupt livelihoods but hope for cooperation from heavy vehicle owners and drivers to enhance public safety. He also addressed misconceptions regarding heavy vehicles’ involvement in accidents and called for thorough investigations into the causes of accidents.

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The IGP praised Hum TV for collaborating with the police on road safety initiatives, and a representative from Hum TV also spoke during the event.