Karachi rolls out strict new traffic regime

Speed limits on Shahrah-e-Faisal, widespread no-parking zones in Saddar mark traffic discipline drive

Following the imposition of speed limits on Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi, the administration has begun installing no-parking and no double-parking signs across the city’s busiest commercial hub, Saddar, as part of an extensive traffic management overhaul. Lane marking and zebra-crossing work on major arteries is also underway at full pace. Markings have already been completed at several key traffic signals across the city.

After the rollout of the modern, automatic faceless e-ticketing system by the Karachi Traffic Police, the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) has launched large-scale lane marking on roads near major corridors, shopping areas, and commercial centres. The installation of signage for lane discipline, zebra crossings, speed limits, and parking restrictions is ongoing.

DSP Admin Traffic Police, Kashif Nadeem told The Express Tribune that the speed limit on Shahrah-e-Faisal — the city’s most important and busiest traffic artery — has now been formally fixed and signboards installed at multiple points. Under the new rules, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles has been set at 60km/h, while buses and heavy vehicles are restricted to 30km/h.

He added that after Shahrah-e-Faisal, no-parking and no double-parking signs have been placed on various roads in Saddar. Traffic violators will face strict penalties as motorcyclists will be fined Rs2,000, while cars and other vehicles will be fined Rs10,000 for violating parking or speed regulations.

DSP Kashif Nadeem said, no-parking and no double-parking signboards have been installed around Empress Market, Zaibunnisa Street, Staff Lane, Abdullah Haroon Road, Bambino Cinema, Lyric Mall, Saddar Preedy Quarters, Al-Haroon Chambers, Fatima Jinnah Road, Rex Centre, Panorama Centre, Centre Mall, State Life Building Civil Lane, Madina City Mall, Jahangir Kothari Mansion, China Shopping Mall and several other locations in Saddar.

He further stated that lane marking and zebra crossing work has been completed on key routes including II Chundrigar Road, Shaheen Complex, PIDC Signal, Metropole signal, Teen Talwar, Boat Basin, National Stadium signal, and Powerhouse Chowrangi (North Karachi).

The DSP said the concerned agency is carrying out the lane marking work and installing signboards at a rapid pace. He added, once the project is completed across all major city roads, “the overall look and discipline of Karachi’s roads will significantly improve.”