Sindh to crack down on public vehicles without digital permits, fitness certificates

The Sindh government has decided to launch a crackdown on public transport vehicles operating without digitised route permits and valid fitness certificates.

Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon said that many public service vehicles were operating without valid fitness certificates and route permits, while some did not have fire extinguishers.

He said functional fire extinguishers were mandatory in public service vehicles, but violations were putting passengers’ safety at risk.

Memon said the digitised route permits of all public service vehicles would be verified, while manual route permits would be considered invalid and cancelled. He said action would be taken against vehicles operating without digitised route permits and valid fitness certificates.

The minister said a comprehensive list of violations would be submitted to the Transport Department every two weeks. Operators repeatedly found violating rules would be blacklisted, he added.

Memon directed motor vehicle inspectors to conduct surprise inspections and take action against violators. He said fines would be imposed and route permits suspended or licences cancelled in case of violations.

“Public service vehicles will not be allowed to operate on roads without fulfilling safety requirements,” he said.

The transport minister also directed the Regional Transport Authority and Motor Vehicle Inspection Wing officials to submit reports on enforcement operations every two weeks.