MQM-P slams govt over 'unjust' traffic fines in Karachi

Accuses PPP of adopting biased policies, squandering development funds

KARACHI:

Lawmakers belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have condemned the Sindh government's newly introduced system of hefty traffic fines and demerit points, terming it "an outright injustice" to Karachiites and a reflection of the provincial government's "incompetence and corruption."

In a joint statement issued on Friday, MQM-P MPAs said that Karachi, the country's economic engine, continues to suffer due to years of neglect under the PPP rule. They accused the ruling party of adopting biased policies, squandering development funds, and failing to deliver basic civic services.

"Karachi's roads are filled with potholes, traffic signals are routinely out of order, and the overall urban infrastructure is in a state of disrepair. In such conditions, imposing heavy fines on citizens is not just unjust - it is a blatant attempt to conceal the government's failures," the statement read.

The lawmakers criticised the PPP-led Sindh government for allegedly misusing billions of rupees allocated in the development budget while depriving the metropolitan city of essential services such as road maintenance, drainage upgrades, and traffic system improvements.

"Rather than fixing the core issues, the government has opted to hang the sword of excessive fines over the heads of an already burdened public," they added.

They further pointed out that systems like demerit points are typically enforced in developed countries where citizens benefit from safe, efficient, and modern infrastructure — a stark contrast to Karachi's conditions, where commuters face daily risks.