Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has advised the government and the police to impose a restriction on the drivers of heavy vehicles so that they do not drive dump trucks and water bowsers for more than 14 hours a day.
Talking to the media on Tuesday, after visiting the residence of the family of the couple who lost their lives in a recent road traffic accident (RTA) involving a water tanker near Malir Halt, Tessori said the restriction would help the drivers concentrate and thus reduce the chances of fatal accidents.
He also handed over the relevant documents to the heirs of the deceased couple to donate them two 80-square-yard plots as compensation for their irreparable loss.
He told the media that he had met the Sindh and Karachi police chiefs, and the home secretary to discuss with them a possible strategy to be evolved to prevent frequent fatal RTAs in Karachi.
He opined that the current system allowing drivers of heavy motor vehicles to remain on the road continuously for 24 hours and then take a rest the next day is faulty and should not continue.
He said he would continue to fight for the victims of the RTAs caused due to reckless driving of dump trucks and water tankers, despite the fact that according to the constitution, his office lacks any executive authority to tackle such urban civic issues.
He hoped that the provincial government and the police would adopt a definitive strategy to prevent fatal tragedies on the roads of Karachi, without the need for him and other concerned quarters to take any extreme step.
The governor said he has also advised the government and the police to ensure that heavy vehicles use the Northern Bypass instead of operating on the inner main roads of the city.
He announced that he would convene an all-party conference by inviting the representatives of the mainstream political entities, including the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party, to evolve a consensus strategy to deal with the issue of fatal RTAs in Karachi.
He also decried that Afghan immigrants have illegally obtained driving licences and other documents, and are involved in the reckless driving of dump trucks in the city.
He informed the media that he would remain in contact with the family of the Malir Halt accident victims until justice is served in the case involving the death of a prematurely born baby of the deceased couple.
He called upon the government to take the due corrective measures to ensure that such grave tragedies do not reoccur on the roads of the city.