Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori on Thursday wrote to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi to urge him to take notice of the rising cases of fatal traffic accidents in Karachi.
Tessori said in his letter that he sought to bring to the attention of the Supreme Court the alarming rise in fatal accidents involving dumpers and tankers in the city. He pointed out that this year alone, over 70 fatalities have already been reported in the media. He particularly highlighted the March 24 incident, in which a speeding water bowser ran over a motorbike carrying Abdul Qayyum and his wife Zainab at Malir Halt.
He said the couple and their newborn child, who was given birth to on the road after the accident, lost their lives in the incident. He referred to the prior correspondence with the Sindh High Court’s (SHC) former chief justice (February 6) and acting chief justice (February 14), in which they were requested to ensure the strict implementation of the SHC’s directives, and to take notice of the administrative lapses leading to fatal accidents.
Tessori urged that in the light of the continuous fatalities and the apparent lack of effective intervention on the part of the administration, the SC take notice of this grave situation and order that immediate and decisive action be taken by all the relevant authorities to address the matter.
“The people of Karachi are now looking to the judiciary for the implementation of strong and effective measures to ensure their safety and to address the underlying issues leading to such horrific accidents.”
He anticipated that the SC would take immediate cognisance of this pressing issue, initiate proceedings at the court’s Karachi registry and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to safeguard the lives of the city’s residents.On Wednesday night, Tessori expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic deaths of a man, his wife and their newborn child in a traffic accident involving a water tanker that recently took place in the Malir Halt area.
Accompanied by MNA Dr Farooq Sattar, Arshad Vohra, Aasia Ishaq and other leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, he visited Natha Khan Goth to meet the bereaved family and offer his condolences.
Earlier, the governor visited the cemetery to offer Fateha for the victims. He laid floral wreaths on the graves of the three deceased and prayed for their elevated ranks in the world hereafter.
Later, speaking to the media, Tessori said this was not politics but a humanitarian tragedy. He expressed his sorrow, saying that the couple was travelling on a motorcycle while fasting when a reckless tanker mercilessly ran them over.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he said that the unborn child, whom the parents had named Ismail, lost his life even before seeing the world due to this tragic accident. He lamented that innocent citizens in Karachi had been falling victim to tankers and dumpers for months, yet the authorities remained as silent spectators. "Who are these people driving dumpers on the roads without number plates? These are illegal immigrants who are spreading death in the city, and no one is stopping them."
He further stated, "Give me control of Karachi’s traffic for a week, and then see if such accidents continue to happen or not!"
The governor criticised the lack of action from authorities and said that had his warnings been taken seriously, such a massive loss of lives could have been prevented. "I had already stated that I would stand against these tankers and dumpers, but my words were mocked."
He announced his plan to call an all parties conference soon, bringing together all political parties to unite on this pressing issue. "This is not a city of orphans," he emphasised. He reiterated his commitment to speaking up for the people, regardless of the consequences. "If you want to remove me, go ahead, but I will not stop raising my voice for the public."
Tessori stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law in Karachi and ensuring that no one took the law into their own hands. "I have always discouraged the youth from resorting to violence or vandalism. I have never asked them to burn vehicles or pick up arms; instead, I have always given them the power of knowledge and education."
He announced that special prayers would be offered at the Governor House Iftar dinner for the deceased individuals. He further stated that after Eid, a philanthropist had pledged to provide plots to the families who had lost their loved ones under the wheels of dumper trucks. Financial assistance would also be provided to those who could not afford to build homes, he added.
The governor urged the chief justice of Pakistan to hold a special session at the Karachi Registry to ensure justice for the victims of such tragic accidents. Concluding his remarks, he emphasised that Karachi’s problems could only be resolved through collective efforts. "We all need to work together to heal the wounds of the people and enforce strict laws to ensure that no other family faces such tragedies in the future."