NGO CTAC, traffic police, Karachi police and the excise and taxation department held a rehearsal drive on Monday. Starting today, these officials will set up pickets across district South to check cars for their registration documents, standardised licence plates and clear windows. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
You may get issued a fine ticket or even end up getting your luxury vehicle impounded if your documents are unsatisfactory. The South traffic police are now committed to teach you a lesson without listening to your ‘phone calls’ and paying heed to any references of ‘VIPs’ before fining you.
Before starting the official drive against unregistered vehicles today, the police, accompanied by concerned citizens, conducted a rehearsal exercise on Sunset Boulevard for about 45 minutes, on Monday. They issued tickets of up to Rs500 to over two dozen luxury vehicles for displaying fancy number plates, tinted glasses and those who had not paid the motor vehicle tax.
NGO CTAC, traffic police, Karachi police and the excise and taxation department held a rehearsal drive on Monday. Starting today, these officials will set up pickets across district South to check cars for their registration documents, standardised licence plates and clear windows. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
Police officials swiftly removed the fancy number plates and tinted glasses without wasting time as the line was longer than expected. The traffic police randomly stopped vehicles bearing fancy and dubious registration plates.
Interestingly, most of the drivers [owners] tried to call their ‘contacts’ to pressurise the police - only this time, their fervent efforts to subdue the officials were in vain. Those in the ‘above-the-law’ line included an advocate, doctors, a government official, several businessmen, a relative of an influential landlord, a minister and a sitting MPA. “Everyone is equal before the law. Issue a ticket even if the vehicle belongs to the Sindh IG,” instructed the South Traffic SP Tanveer Odho. He added that the drive will continue for an indefinite period of time. The traffic police’s top officials, aided by officials of Excise and Taxation department, members of the Citizens Trust Against Crime (CTAC) and Association of Defence Residents, participated in the rehearsal, in order to check for shortcomings and the equipment needed during the official drive.
“We have to check how we can make it work and what we need for the drive,” said DIG Admin Farhat Ali Junejo. “Unregistered vehicles are being used in criminal activities. The campaign will be launched in other districts of Karachi as well,” he added.
“They just disturb gentlemen and can’t take action against those who commit crime and have unregistered vehicles,” retorted an angry owner, Kamran.
“The vehicle belongs to Nadir Magsi,” informed a driver. “So what? Do you have any documents?” When the driver saw his attempt to exert influence wouldn’t work, he responded meekly, “No sir, I don’t have anything.”
“This is property of UAE Consulate,” informed another driver. “No, his documents are fake and the vehicle will be taken to the police station,” replied a police official.
“I am an advocate,” interjected a man when he was told to show his documents. “I forgot them [documents] back at the office,” he replied with a softer tone when no one was ready to heed his threats.
“I am driver of an SP.” The police official suddenly contacted his top official. “Remove its fancy number plate and issue him a ticket,” Odho directed him, asking him not to hesitate even if a top official was present in the vehicle.
The excise and taxation team, aided by their laptops, were present to report to the police whether the vehicle’s tax had been paid or not. “Police will take action according to traffic rules. We are just assisting them,” said an excise and taxation official, Saeed Memon.
“The law enforcing agencies cannot operate without support from the citizens,” commented CTAC’s member Naeem Sadiq. “It is a good step but we have to ensure that common citizens are not disturbed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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I would suggest letting vehicles have tinted windows. This does not mean the vehicle cannot be stopped for checking but at times there are sole women drivers who use the same route everyday and to avoid being followed, chased and harassed by motorcyclists, muggers, kidnappers this should be allowed to them. I always keep my vehicle documents and tax paid but due to the high level of crime in the city I got the windows tinted which makes me feel immensely safe and secure. This is something the law enforcement agency needs to look into.
I hope this time around it is genuine. Along with that, maybe the police and excise department can work to make the tax paying system easier? and perhaps just make it clear what documents one has to carry in his vehicle.
All suggest are well but, these suggest can only be implemented after everyone of these car have a proper registration plate to show on there cars.
Although I personally don't support fancy license plates but if Sindh could alter is designs to make it a bit more visually appeasing then I am sure some people would give fancy plates, not to mention a proper policy of vanity plates should also be put in place.
This is unfair. They should have given time limit to people to get their papers in order before fining them. After all they are used to the slack behavior of the cops that has spoilt us since ages, in which everyone got away by tipping the cop. This applies to the taxi drivers to the small Suzuki van driver to a VIP.
This is an initiative spearheaded by concerned citizens who formed an ngo called citizens trust against crime. They have been pressurising top officials and formulated the programme to help curb crime related to vehicles. The idea is that the programme continues to grow and is continuous stretching into the future as well. It is not a one go show.
this is a good effort by the police but the vehicles used by police itself have tinted glass. why the police officials have fear from facing the public.
Good effort.The law breakers cars can be viewed outside Dolmen Mall
tabdeeli!!!
this drama will continue for few days and later it will end up to Chai Pani
This should be a common practice instead of making it a once a year ritual, nontheless a commendable effort, keep it up!
Lovely (Y)
I don't know exactly who is behind this scheme but kudos to you and I hope this goes on like this to cleanse the city of this so called VIP culture.
(a 24 year old who himself uses the VIP culture to get away with stuff)
Have to say nice effort but would also recommend taking systematic and sceintific approach rather than random checking cause the latter would waste a lot of time, effort etc
Good job. Time to finally take a stand and I hope it succeeds. But it is a reflection on the VIP culture prevalent in Pakistan, that if you have a lot of money, laws don't apply to you.
Good work. I pray that people come to their sense and follow the rules. This action by the government will increase revenue and document all the illegal cars that are running around the town. May Allah keep, the officer's and people responsible for checking vehicle information, safe and brave to face all the presuure from Criminals, Ameen.