By our correspondent
KARACHI: Members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) in the Sindh Assembly have voiced serious concerns following a report from a private news channel indicating that 598 individuals have lost their lives in traffic accidents in Karachi this year, with many more injured or disabled. In their statement, the lawmakers highlighted the deteriorating condition of the city’s roads, characterized by darkness and disrepair, which they described as a “harbinger of death” for citizens facing chaotic traffic situations.
The assembly members specifically criticized the proliferation of unlicensed auto-rickshaws, often operated by minors who stop abruptly in the middle of the road to pick up and drop off passengers, thereby causing accidents. They pointed out that despite the staggering number of fatalities, provincial and local governments have failed to implement significant measures to curb traffic incidents.
The legislators remarked that it seems as though the residents of Karachi are being subjected to life-threatening conditions with a specific agenda in mind, likening the city’s situation to a “dark and lawless place.” The citizens, already distressed by rampant theft and robbery, now fear venturing onto the roads, uncertain whether they might fall victim to a reckless driver under the influence.
The MQM-P members called upon the Sindh provincial government and city authorities to take immediate and comprehensive action to address these accidents and to fulfill their commitments to public service without discrimination. They stressed the urgent need for effective measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Karachi’s residents.
