Sindh Heavy Vehicle Fitness Certificate Now Mandatory for Road Safety

The Sindh heavy vehicle fitness certificate has been made mandatory for all large vehicles operating in Karachi, as the provincial government moves to curb the rising number of traffic accidents involving dumper trucks. This decision was finalized in a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, where authorities addressed road safety concerns and stricter regulatory enforcement.

The move follows a recent ban on heavy vehicles entering Karachi during the daytime, restricting their operation to 11 PM – 6 AM, except for essential services, including water, petroleum, medicines, and meat transportation.

Sindh Heavy Vehicle Fitness Certificate Implementation

Addressing the press after the meeting, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that the Sindh heavy vehicle fitness certificate will be issued by the transport department, with barcodes assigned to all registered vehicles. The Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) will also provide barcodes and fitness certifications for water tankers.

Heavy vehicle owners have 30 days to obtain their fitness certificates, failing which their vehicles will not be allowed on Karachi roads. Additionally, all heavy vehicles from other provinces must secure certification from Sindh authorities, aligning with Punjab’s strict vehicle fitness regulations.

Memon clarified that vehicles without fitness certificates will face strict legal action and that the excise department is expanding its motor vehicle inspection system to speed up the process.

Government Crackdown on Traffic Violations

In response to widespread public outrage over road accidents, CM Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting attended by key officials, including Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Excise Minister Mukesh Chawla, Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, and law enforcement authorities.

The Sindh heavy vehicle fitness certificate was identified as a critical step toward road safety, with instructions issued to the traffic police, local government, and excise department to strictly enforce the new regulation.

The government’s recent crackdown was prompted by a surge in deadly road accidents involving dumpers and heavy trucks, which have claimed multiple lives in Karachi, leading to public protests against the traffic police for failing to regulate vehicle movement.

Opposition parties, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), have called for tighter restrictions on heavy vehicles, citing the need for stronger enforcement to prevent further fatalities.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also expressed frustration over unchecked heavy vehicle movement, urging authorities to prioritize public safety.

Protests and Arrests Amid New Regulations

As public frustration over delayed enforcement of the Sindh heavy vehicle fitness certificate grew, protests erupted across Karachi. Following a press conference by MQM-Haqiqi chairman Afaq Ahmed, unidentified individuals set fire to four heavy vehicles in different parts of the city.

Police reported that a trailer, two water tankers, and a dumper truck were attacked and set ablaze in Landhi, Awami Colony, Surjani Town, and Sharifabad. In response, law enforcement arrested Afaq Ahmed on charges of inciting violence and vandalism, placing him on judicial remand.

The incidents led to a backlash from transporters, who blocked major highways, including the National Highway and Northern Bypass, in protest over property damage and the lack of government protection for their vehicles.

Despite the tensions, the Sindh government remains firm on enforcing the Sindh heavy vehicle fitness certificate rule, with officials emphasizing that road safety measures cannot be compromised.

Additional Measures Announced by Sindh Government

During the press conference, Memon addressed concerns over delays in issuing vehicle number plates, revealing that 80,000 number plates remain uncollected at the excise department.

He also highlighted that Sindh has only two motor vehicle inspectors, a number that will be increased to ensure faster vehicle fitness assessments.

To tackle the issue of unregistered vehicles, Memon reminded showroom owners that selling an unregistered vehicle is now illegal, per a new Sindh Assembly law. He warned that:

• Unregistered vehicles found on the road will be impounded.
• Car showrooms selling unregistered vehicles will be sealed.
• Imported vehicles for Sindh will be registered immediately, while those destined for other provinces must be transported via car carriers.

The Sindh heavy vehicle fitness certificate is part of a broader effort to regulate Karachi’s growing traffic challenges and prevent further accidents caused by unfit heavy transport vehicles.