By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has asked the provincial government to submit a detailed response to a petition filed by the Karachi Bus Owners Association challenging e-challans, heavy fines and restrictions on the age of public buses and mini coaches. The constitutional petition came before Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, who questioned the association’s counsel, Advocate Munsif Jan, on the legal basis for the challenge.
Advocate Jan argued that the Sindh government’s notification of 1 January 2025 was illegal, claiming that no such authority exists in the relevant law. He said the notification issued under Section 121-A of the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965, had been wrongly applied, as a plain reading of the section shows it does not empower the government to impose excessive fines or introduce an e-challan system in the manner done.
After hearing preliminary arguments, the court adjourned proceedings until 15 January 2026 and directed the Sindh government to appear fully prepared and provide a written reply explaining the legal basis for the notification. President of the Bus Owners Association Farooq Ahmed, senior member Khayal Muhammad, Din Muhammad and Ejaz Qureshi were present during the hearing.
