In a bid to tackle escalating traffic chaos and enhance road safety, Karachi authorities have rolled out a temporary daytime ban on heavy transport vehicles, effective from April 17 to June 16, 2025. The measure, announced by Karachi Division Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, targets the city’s chronic congestion and aims to create smoother, safer roads for commuters.
The restriction, enforced under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibits heavy vehicles, including construction material-laden dumpers, from operating on city streets between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM. “This step is critical to safeguard lives and streamline traffic movement across Karachi,” Naqvi stated, emphasizing the need to address the metropolis’s growing gridlock.
Certain vehicles are exempt from the ban, including those transporting vital supplies like water, food, medical equipment, edible oil, and medical gases. However, authorities have urged even these operators to prioritize nighttime or low-traffic hours to reduce road strain.
Traffic police and law enforcement have been directed to crack down on violators, with legal consequences under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code for non-compliance. The two-month initiative reflects Karachi’s ongoing efforts to balance urban growth with efficient traffic management, offering residents hope for less chaotic commutes.
