Karachi, April 05, 2025 – A late-night traffic dispute in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Maymar spiraled into chaos when a woman unleashed gunfire following a minor collision, leading to her arrest alongside the other driver involved. The dramatic incident, which unfolded around 2 a.m. on Saturday, has reignited debates over road safety and firearm misuse in the bustling city.
Police reports indicate that the altercation began when a delivery van grazed a sleek sedan driven by 32-year-old Meher Bano. Enraged by the scrape, Bano stepped out of her vehicle, drew a licensed handgun, and fired multiple rounds into the night sky. The sharp cracks of gunfire sent residents scrambling for cover and sparked widespread alarm in the densely populated neighborhood.
The van driver, 45-year-old Tariq Mehmood, abandoned his vehicle and fled toward a nearby patrol unit, pleading for protection. Officers arrived promptly, detaining both individuals amid a crowd of onlookers. A single FIR was lodged, naming Bano and Mehmood as parties to the incident.
Investigations revealed that Bano’s firearm license had lapsed six months prior, adding a layer of legal trouble to her reckless outburst. She now faces charges under Section 337 of the Pakistan Penal Code for endangering public safety, alongside violations of the national arms regulations. Mehmood, though unharmed, was also taken into custody for questioning regarding the collision.
The impounded vehicles—a scratched sedan and a dented van—sit as evidence while the two drivers await further court proceedings. Bano was escorted to the women’s lockup, while Mehmood was held at the local station.
This episode underscores Karachi’s persistent struggles with traffic-related violence and the hazards posed by heavy vehicles weaving through urban streets. Local activists point to a grim statistic: over 200 traffic deaths this year alone, many tied to unregulated trucks and reckless driving. Authorities vow stricter enforcement, but residents remain on edge.
