APC reaches consensus to keep issue apolitical

A multi-party conference (APC) convened by the Sindh government to address the rising number of traffic accidents in Karachi concluded with a unanimous decision to keep the issue apolitical, Express News reported.

Major stakeholders, including political parties and transport representatives, agreed that accidents should not be politicised, while also pressing for compensation for the families of victims.

The conference, held on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, was attended by representatives from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Awami National Party (ANP), and the president of the Dumper Association.

Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, stated that all stakeholders had agreed that traffic accidents should not be used for political point-scoring.

He highlighted that transporters had also shared their concerns, and all participants reached a consensus that road safety should be addressed through concrete measures rather than political rhetoric.

Referring to a recent fatal accident at Jail Chowrangi involving a water tanker, Memon confirmed that the driver responsible had been arrested.

He stressed the need to prevent similar incidents and warned against political maneuvering around such tragedies, stating that external forces could exploit the situation.

“We all agree that accidents should not be politicised. Instead, solutions should be sought through policy improvements and law enforcement,” he added.

MQM-P, JI, and ANP demand for compensation

MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar underscored the human cost of traffic accidents, calling for immediate financial relief for victims’ families.

“This is not a political issue but a humanitarian crisis,” he said. “We must send a strong message to the bereaved families that we stand with them. Governments must take responsibility, and had preventive measures been taken earlier, such tragedies could have been avoided,” he added.

Sattar also called for a high-level inquiry commission to investigate traffic accidents and improve enforcement. He reassured that MQM-P opposes violence and vandalism, urging authorities to uphold their writ to prevent public outrage from escalating into lawlessness.

Jamaat-e-Islami representatives echoed the demand for compensation, proposing that each victim’s family receive Rs10 million as financial relief. They stressed that traffic regulation failures should be addressed administratively, without political interference.

ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed pointed out that traffic accidents occur nationwide, not just in Karachi, and called for a detailed report on accident trends. He emphasised that governance must be guided by law and order, not political agendas.

According to a police report presented during the conference, seven percent of Karachi’s accidents involve dumpers, prompting calls for stricter oversight of heavy vehicle operations.

The president of the Transporters’ Association refuted claims that many drivers operate vehicles under the drug influence, stating that not all dumpers are responsible for accidents. He urged for equal treatment under the law and rejected the portrayal of transporters as part of a mafia.

“We pay taxes, we are not criminals. The law should be applied fairly to all,” he asserted.

The conference concluded with a pledge to enforce stricter road safety measures, improve driver training, and review traffic laws to prevent further loss of life.