80 transporters arrested for SOP violations in Karachi

37 buses, vans, coaches and taxis impounded by Sindh police

KARACHI: As many as 80 drivers were arrested and 50 challans issued in Karachi during a crackdown on those violating the Sindh government’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) pertaining to public transport, revealed Sindh Transport and Mass Transit Minister Awais Qadir Shah on Saturday.

Aside from the metropolis, operations were also carried out against the violators in Hyderabad, Shikarpur, Badin, Sukkur, Larkana, Naushero Feroze and Khairpur, among other cities.

Shah added that 37 buses, vans, coaches and taxis were impounded by the police, while the total penalties issued to 91 passenger buses in the province amounted to Rs77,300.

He also disclosed that show-causes notices were issued to six regional secretaries for their inefficient performance.

Warning passengers and drivers to wear masks and follow the SOPs during transportation, Shah stated that failure to do would result in legal action against them. He added that monitoring and vigilance teams were taking constant action against the violators.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2020.