Sindh orders crackdown on vehicles without valid permits, fitness certificates

Department introduces a digitised system for the issuance of route permits and fitness certificates

KARACHI:

Sindh government on Thursday ordered a crackdown on public service vehicles operating without "valid route permits and fitness certificates or with documents that have expired", according to an official notification issued by the provincial Transport and Mass Transit Department.

The directive states that a “considerable number” of inter-city and intra-city vehicles are either running without the required documentation or using expired permits and certificates.

Officials have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 and Motor Vehicles Rules 1969, making it mandatory for all vehicles to carry valid route permits, fitness certificates, and other required documents.

In this regard, the department has introduced a "digitised system for the issuance of route permits and fitness certificates. Under this automation process, all fitness certificates are now being issued digitally, and route permits for both inter-city and intra-city routes are also being processed through the automated system. Manual route permits will shortly be cancelled to ensure a transparent and effective transition".

The government is also providing subsidies to transport operators, on the condition that fares remain at levels set before February 27. However, the notification notes that complaints have been received about some operators overcharging passengers.

Officials have been instructed to “initiate a special checking campaign against operators running vehicles without valid route permits or fitness certificates” and to “take strict action against those charging fares in excess of the approved fares”.

The order also reiterates a complete ban on the use of CNG and LPG in school transport and inter-city public service vehicles, and stresses that no vehicle should be allowed to operate without proper documentation.

The decisions come after Qatar declared force majeure on gas supplies due to damage to its facilities amid ongoing regional tensions involving Iran and Israel, leading to disruptions in liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. Qatar is Pakistan’s main LNG supplier under two long-term contracts covering up to 1,000 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on April 10 announced a reduction of Rs135 per litre in high-speed diesel prices and Rs12 per litre in petrol. The Finance Ministry said the new rates stand at Rs385.54 for diesel and Rs366.58 for petrol.

The announcement comes after recent volatility in fuel prices, with earlier increases linked to rising global oil prices amid Middle East tensions. The government had previously raised prices by up to Rs185 per litre before partially reversing the hike through adjustments in the petroleum levy and subsidies.

Responding to the rising fuel costs, the Sindh government announced that in light of recent surging petrol prices and an ongoing energy crisis, a monthly subsidy of Rs2,000 would be provided to registered motorcyclists across the province. Public transport and goods transport operators would also receive monthly subsidies ranging from Rs70,000 to Rs100,000.