Traffic police's selective enforcement sparks outrage

IG's directives ignored as police target cars, bikes

KARACHI:

Despite clear instructions from Sindh IG Ghulam Nabi Memon, traffic police officers stop citizens' cars and issue challans. The city's traffic system is already very chaotic, resulting in unnecessary fuel waste. Meanwhile, traffic police personnel specifically target car and motorcycle riders, issuing challans. However, freight vehicles and public transport often pass by while violating traffic rules.

IG Ghulam Nabi Memon issued instructions to subordinate officers regarding various issues during a special meeting at the Central Police Office after assuming the post of IG Sindh for the second time on March 25. He prohibited traffic police from standing in groups and stopping vehicles on roads, warning of strict action against violators.

However, traffic police personnel in the city continue to stand in groups at different areas and stop various vehicles, particularly cars and motorcycles, issuing challans. Near Shafiq Mor, half a dozen traffic policemen stop car drivers and motorcyclists, request documents, and issue challans.

Traffic police officers were seen stopping moving vehicles on the road. Meanwhile, cargo vehicles, including mini trucks and Suzuki pickups, pass by, disobeying traffic rules and being overloaded.

There is a growing number of heated exchanges between citizens and traffic police. Citizens say traffic police suddenly appear in moving traffic, which is dangerous and may lead to accidents. Citizens emphasise everyone's duty to follow traffic rules and advocate for legal action against violators.

However, traffic police only issue challans to car and motorcycle riders. DIG Traffic Ahmad Nawaz Cheema has not taken action against traffic police violating IG Sindh's orders. Citizens report traffic police are stationed in groups at various locations, including Sohrab Goth, Sakhi Hasan Chowrangi, Baloch Colony U-turn, Stadium Road flyover, and Millennium Mall U-turn. Across the city, 6-seater rickshaws pass by traffic police while violating the law.