Public transport services in Karachi are set to face major disruption after the Karachi Bus Owners Association announced an indefinite strike starting June 18 in protest against what it described as excessive traffic challans and heavy fines imposed on public transport vehicles.
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The association said bus owners across the city have decided to suspend operations until their concerns are addressed by the authorities. The move is expected to affect thousands of commuters who rely on buses and other public transport services for their daily travel.
Speaking to the media, Farooq Ahmed, President of the Karachi Bus Owners Association, called on all bus owners to participate in the strike and keep their vehicles off the roads from June 18.
He said transport operators have been facing increasing financial pressure due to strict traffic enforcement measures and rising penalties.
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According to the association, the current system of fines has become unsustainable for many operators already struggling with high fuel prices, maintenance costs and operational expenses.
“The strike will continue until our demands are accepted and the authorities address our concerns regarding traffic challans and fines,” Ahmed said.
The announcement has raised concerns among commuters, particularly office workers, students and daily wage earners who depend heavily on public transport to travel across Karachi.
A prolonged suspension of bus services could lead to increased demand for ride-hailing services and other alternative modes of transportation.
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The protest comes amid an ongoing crackdown by Karachi traffic police aimed at improving road safety and traffic discipline. In recent months, authorities have intensified enforcement efforts against traffic violations, particularly wrong-way driving, which officials say has become a major safety concern in the city.
Earlier in May, Karachi traffic police introduced stricter measures to penalize motorists driving on the wrong side of the road. Officials said the initiative was launched to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow on busy roads.
DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah stated that officers had been equipped with modern technology and digital devices to issue challans more efficiently. He said the growing trend of wrong-way driving posed serious risks to motorists and pedestrians.
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According to traffic police officials, around 36 locations across Karachi have been identified as major hotspots for wrong-way driving violations. Authorities have also announced plans to deploy a Special Traffic Flow Unit on key roads to strengthen enforcement and improve traffic management.
While traffic authorities maintain that stricter enforcement is necessary to ensure public safety, transport operators argue that excessive fines are creating financial hardship for the public transport sector.
No official response from the Sindh government or traffic police regarding the strike announcement had been issued at the time of filing this report.
