The Sindh government has approved a province-wide ban on four-seater rickshaws and introduced a broad set of changes to its traffic laws in a bid to modernise transport regulation and improve road safety.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Law and Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar. The proposed amendments, which cover vehicle standards, fines, and enforcement, will now be sent to the provincial cabinet for final approval, according to the Sindh Home Department.
Under the revised rules, only one-by-two-seater rickshaws will be allowed to operate on roads. The government said the ban aims to ease traffic congestion, cut accident rates, and standardise the use of small public transport vehicles.
New penalties have also been introduced for a wide range of violations. Government vehicles caught going the wrong way on one-way roads will face fines of Rs200,000, while private four-wheelers will be fined Rs100,000. Motorcyclists driving against traffic will be penalised Rs25,000. Driving without a valid licence will result in a Rs25,000 fine for motorcyclists and Rs50,000 for car drivers.
All vehicles, both commercial and non-commercial, must now undergo third-party fitness checks, part of a wider push to enforce compliance and remove unsafe vehicles from the roads.
Commercial and heavy transport vehicles will be required to install at least five surveillance cameras. Water tankers and dumpers must also be equipped with GPS trackers and motion sensors to improve safety and tracking.
Authorities are also cracking down on vehicle modifications. The sale of black-tinted windows, fancy lights, and hooters—both online and in markets—will be banned. E-challans will be issued directly to vehicle owners at their registered addresses.
To improve enforcement, the traffic, transport, and excise departments will be integrated into a centralised system. Vehicles with unpaid fines will not be allowed to change ownership.
A dedicated Traffic Magistrate post is also being created to fast-track prosecution of traffic offences. First-time offenders caught doing wheelies or car drifting will face Rs100,000 in fines, with tougher penalties for repeat offences.
The meeting was attended by the Sindh police chief, senior officials from the law, transport, excise and mass transit departments, and the DIG Traffic Karachi. The move signals the provincial government’s intent to overhaul urban mobility and bring discipline to roads plagued by violations and weak enforcement.
