KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Friday witnessed a heated exchange as opposition lawmakers strongly criticised the provincial government over worsening traffic conditions in Karachi, inadequate transport facilities, and civic mismanagement in Karachi and Hyderabad. The government, however, defended its performance and vowed to expand public transport services across major arteries of the province.
Lawmakers belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P) complained of severe shortages of public buses, poor garbage disposal and persistent water scarcity across their constituencies. They accused the government of failing to address basic civic issues despite repeated assurances.
Responding to the criticism, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who also oversees the transport department, insisted that the government had undertaken significant public transport reforms and planned to extend bus services to every major route in Sindh. He emphasised that the fleet of government-run buses was a “public asset” intended for the collective benefit of citizens.
Mr Memon said stricter traffic laws and enhanced fines had been introduced to curb violations and improve road safety. He also rejected the tendency to immediately blame heavy vehicles in accidents involving motorcycles, condemning the practice of torching vehicles after collisions. “There must be a shift in public behaviour,” he added.
New transport initiatives
The minister announced that the provincial government would soon launch a new taxi service, further expanding transportation options for urban centres. Commenting on concerns about electric bus maintenance, he clarified that EV bus batteries carried a seven-year warranty, and any faults within that period would be covered by the supplier.
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MQM-P’s Sabir Qaimkhani pointed to a severe shortage of buses in Hyderabad, while Ijazul Haq highlighted inadequate services in Orangi Town. Mr Memon assured that development in all constituencies would be “equitable, without political discrimination.”
Civic concerns dominate session
The opposition also raised civic issues beyond transport. MQM-P’s Jamal Ahmed expressed alarm over a worsening water crisis in North Nazimabad, whereas Shariq Jamal accused authorities of using substandard materials in road construction in Malir Colony.
Separately, MQM-P’s Amir Siddiqui, through a call attention notice, criticised the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board for ineffective garbage collection. Parliamentary Secretary Qasim Siraj Soomro responded that 127 sanitary workers and 146 garbage bins had been deployed in the area.
Lawmakers from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan highlighted persistent issues of inadequate transport, insufficient garbage disposal and chronic water shortages in their constituencies in both cities.https://t.co/WNjmMsNC9A
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 6, 2025
MQM-P’s Qurat-ul-Ain sought details on security measures for tourists along Karachi’s coastline. Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said the Coast Guards were primarily responsible for coastal security, while police pickets had also been set up. He added the province was considering establishing a Sindh Maritime Police force.
The session was later adjourned until Monday by Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah.
