Public transport under watch

Sharjeel says violators will face fines, licences cancellation

KARACHI:

Sindh government orders tough enforcement against public service vehicles over route permits, fitness certificates and fire safety violations.

The government has ordered a province-wide enforcement campaign and crackdown against public service vehicles, directing provincial and regional transport authorities, all District Regional Transport Authorities (DRTAs) and the Motor Vehicle Inspection Wing to immediately launch stringent checking and enforcement drives.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said strict action would be taken against public service vehicles operating without digitised route permits, valid fitness certificates and mandatory fire extinguishers.

He said a number of public service vehicles were still operating without digitised route permits and valid fitness certificates, while some vehicles also lacked fire extinguishers, adding that such violations posed a serious threat to passenger safety.

The minister said all digitised route permits of public service vehicles would be fully verified, while manual route permits would be considered ineffective and cancelled. He directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive list of violating vehicles and operators and submit a report to the Transport Department every two weeks.

Officials have also been directed to submit detailed reports every two weeks on the enforcement action taken and recommendations for further improvement.