Drug tests mandatory for drivers in Karachi

Karachi: The Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has set the speed limit for heavy transport vehicles in Karachi at 30 km/h and made random drug tests mandatory for drivers.

According to the details, an important meeting was held in Karachi under the chairmanship of the Sindh Chief Minister regarding traffic issues.

Murad Ali Shah said that he is extremely saddened by the increasing traffic accidents in the city. The loss of human lives is unbearable. Traffic and district police should work together to prevent traffic accidents.

The Sindh Chief Minister ordered that the driving licenses of all heavy vehicle drivers be checked.

The Sindh IG Police told the meeting that 1.6765 million were issued in the city in 2024, in which a fine of Rs1,336 million was collected. Actions were taken against 512,190 vehicles and 11,287 drivers were detained.

The IG said that a total of 650 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered last year and 7,555 fitness certificates were canceled.

Installation of trackers and dash cams mandatory

On this occasion, the Sindh Chief Minister made the installation of trackers and dash cams mandatory in all heavy transport vehicles, light transport vehicles, and public service vehicles.

The Sindh Chief Minister said that installation of underrun protection devices is mandatory in all heavy and light vehicles, and water tankers without leaking or baffle plates are prohibited from plying on the roads.

Murad Ali Shah said that the speed limit for heavy transport vehicles in Karachi will be 30 kilometers per hour. The Transport Department, Excise, Licensing Authority, Traffic Police, and NADRA will be linked, and effective and coordinated implementation of traffic laws will be made possible.

The Chief Minister of Sindh added that the Traffic Engineering Bureau will be restructured and brought under the mayor's control. International standard training will be mandatory for drivers before getting a driving license. A crackdown will be carried out against illegal number plates, tinted windows, unauthorized sirens and lights.

Action against triple riders, non-helmet riders

The Chief Minister of Sindh also directed action against motorcyclists who do not use helmets and triple riders.

Murad Ali Shah said that the vehicles whose fitness certificates have been canceled should be confiscated and their re-licensing will be subject to the Transport Department.

The Chief Minister of Sindh declared drug testing mandatory for drivers of heavy and light vehicles. Murad Ali Shah formed a high-level committee for the immediate implementation of the decisions, which will be supervised by the IG Police.