Sindh Govt Bans Qingqi Rickshaws in Karachi, Imposes Heavy Fines Under New Traffic Reforms

Sindh’s Minister for Law and Home Affairs, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, has approved sweeping changes to traffic regulations across the province, including a complete ban on four-seater Qingqi rickshaws in Karachi and hefty new penalties for traffic violations.

The measures were finalised during a high-level meeting attended by senior officials, including the Inspector General of Sindh, the DIG Traffic, and representatives from relevant departments. The focus was on amending the Motor Vehicles Rules to modernise and enforce stricter road safety standards.

Under the revised rules, four-seater Qingqi rickshaws will no longer be allowed on Karachi’s roads, though two-seater auto-rickshaws may continue to operate.

The government has also made fitness certification compulsory for all vehicles, commercial and private, with third-party inspections to ensure compliance.

Further provisions include a ban on the sale of tinted glass, sirens, and decorative lighting—both online and in physical shops. Water tankers and dumpers must now be fitted with tracking sensors, and all heavy transport vehicles will be required to install at least five surveillance cameras.

A system of e-challans will now deliver traffic fines directly to vehicle owners’ homes, with digital integration between the traffic, transport, and excise departments.

Tougher penalties have been introduced to curb dangerous driving. Wrong-way driving will incur fines of Rs200,000 for government vehicles, Rs100,000 for four-wheelers, and Rs25,000 for motorcycles. First-time wheelie and drifting offenders will be fined Rs100,000, with repeated offences attracting fines of up to Rs300,000.

Motorcyclists found riding without a licence will be fined Rs25,000, while unlicensed car drivers will face penalties of Rs50,000. Vehicle transfer or sale will also be blocked until all outstanding traffic fines are cleared.

Dedicated traffic magistrates will soon be appointed to fast-track hearings of violation cases.

Notably, Qingqi rickshaws had already faced a two-month suspension on 12 major roads in Karachi. The latest decision now formalises a province-wide ban, pending cabinet approval of the amended laws.