Crackdown on Unauthorised Rickshaws to Ease Karachi Traffic Congestion

  • Rickshaws lacking permits are now prohibited on Sharea Faisal and II Chundrigar Road.
  • Restrictions also extend to Sharea Qauaideen and Rashid Minhas Road.
  • A police assessment identifies rickshaws as a major contributor to traffic issues.

In an effort to improve the worsening traffic conditions, city officials have announced a two-month prohibition on unpermitted one-plus-two and one-plus-four motor cab rickshaws across eleven main thoroughfares.

Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi made the decision based on the recommendation of the Traffic Deputy Inspector General (DIG), implementing it under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

The ban will be enforced from April 15 to June 14, 2025, with penalties for violations under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

This action addresses increasing traffic congestion and a concerning rise in traffic-related fatalities, with over 250 deaths recorded, including 85 involving large vehicles.

The surge in fatalities triggered public outcry and protests, even leading to the torching of heavy vehicles.

The traffic crisis, along with public anger, prompted the Sindh government to impose daytime restrictions on heavy vehicle movement in Karachi. Additionally, strict measures such as a 30 km/h speed limit for heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) have been implemented.

The latest rickshaw ban follows a traffic police report that highlighted the role of unpermitted rickshaws, operating on unofficial routes, as a key factor in traffic congestion. These vehicles reportedly impede traffic and create safety hazards, especially on critical city roads.

The roads affected by the rickshaw ban include Sharea Faisal (from Metropole signal to Madam Apartment), II Chundrigar Road (from Tower to Shaheen Complex), Sharea Qauaideen (from Numaish Chowrangi to Sharae Faisal, Nursery), Sher Shah Suri Road (from Metric Board Office to Nagan Chowrangi), Shaheed-e-Millat Road (from Jail Chowrangi to Shaheed Millat Expressway), Abdullah Haroon Road (Do Talwar from Hashoo Centre, Mobile Market via Hoshan), Khayaban-e-Iqbal (Do Talwar to Sharea Firdousi up to Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine), Stadium Road (from Millennium Mall to New Town Police Station), Sir Shah Suleman Road and Sir Habib Ibrahim Rahmatullah Road (from Hassan Square to Karsaz), Rashid Minhas Road (from Drigh Road to Sohrab Goth), and Mauripur Road (from Gulbai to ICI Bridge).