KARACHI: Authorities in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province have barred entry of dumper trucks in the commercial hub of Karachi from 6am till 11pm, a senior official said late Saturday, amid a rise in fatal road accidents that involved heavy vehicles.
The announcement came hours after a dumper truck crushed three people to death in the city’s Ibrahim Hyderi area. It followed a similar incident in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, which claimed three lives a day ago.
Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads as well as a majority of vehicles are in poor condition. Road crashes have killed at least 96 people, including 71 men, 12 women and 13 children, and injured nearly 1,300 others in Karachi in the last two months, local media reports, citing police.
On Saturday, Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah presided over a meeting of senior provincial officials and decided to introduce a Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) in the province among other measures to contain the rising number of road accidents.
“All vehicles in the city should have a certificate with a QR code from the Transport Department,” said a statement issued from the chief secretary’s office after the meeting, adding that authorities will conduct physical verification of all heavy vehicles and their drivers in the city.
The chief secretary directed inspection of all water tankers of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board within a month, while the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, which collects garbage with the help of dumper trucks, was ordered to shift operations to nighttime within 3 months.
“The main reason for accidents is the lack of implementation of the heavy traffic laws,” the chief secretary was quoted as saying.
“FIRs [police complaints] should be registered against those who drive recklessly along with a challan.”
The official urged motorcyclists to wear helmets and instructed traffic police to increase enforcement of traffic laws in the city.
Pakistan’s commercial capital bars entry of dumper trucks in daytime amid rising accidents
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Pakistan’s commercial capital bars entry of dumper trucks in daytime amid rising accidents
- The announcement came hours after a dumper truck crushed three people to death in Ibrahim Hyderi area of Karachi
- Accidents are common in Pakistan where traffic rules are rarely followed, roads and vehicles are in poor condition
Pakistan Navy chief in Malaysia to strengthen operational cooperation, discuss maritime security
- Pakistan Navy chief in Malaysia to strengthen operational cooperation, discuss maritime security
- Navy chief calls for strengthened cooperation between hydrographic offices of both countries
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf is in Malaysia where he held talks with the leadership of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to enhance operational cooperation, capacity building and responses to maritime security challenges, the Pakistani Navy said on Sunday.
Pakistan and Malaysia have historically enjoyed close ties ever since they established diplomatic ties in 1957. Both countries have strengthened cooperation in various sectors such as defense, trade, economy, manpower exports and education over the years.
Ashraf was received at the RMN’s headquarters by Admiral Tan Sri (Dr.) Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, the RMN chief, Pakistan’s Navy said in a statement.
“Discussions focused on aligning strategic perspectives and enhancing operational cooperation, capacity building, and coordinated responses to maritime security challenges,” the statement said.
Ashraf highlighted Pakistan Navy’s contributions to regional stability through the Regional Maritime Security Patrols and its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces.
He also visited Malaysia’s National Hydrographic Center, calling for strengthened cooperation with Pakistan’s National Hydrographic Office in training, data exchange, and professional collaboration.
“The visit reaffirmed the enduring Pakistan-Malaysia naval partnership and commitment to future-oriented maritime cooperation,” Pakistan Navy said.
Pakistan’s army, navy and air force have aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation with their counterparts since last year when Pakistan and India were embroiled in a brief military confrontation.
Both countries pounded each other with missiles, drone strikes, fighter jets and artillery fire for four days until Washington brokered a ceasefire between them on May 10.
