Sindh govt bans parking on Karachi’s ‘Wall Street’

The Sindh government has decided to improve the flow of traffic and prohibit parking on Karachi’s I.I. Chundrigar Road, also known as the ‘Wall Street’, in an attempt to increase road safety.

The decision comes as Karachi witnesses a surge in traffic accidents, particularly involving dumpers and water tankers, that killed nearly 500 people and injured 4,879 in 2024, according to hospital data.

The spate of deadly incidents triggered protests over citizens’ deaths, prompting the provincial government to ban heavy vehicles during daytime hours and require them to obtain fitness certificates.

I.I. Chundrigar Road a major road in the city’s central business district is referred to as Karachi’s “Wall Street”. The roads is a significant financial hub, serving as the location of Pakistan’s stock exchange, major banks, and other financial institutions.

The instructions were issued by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah after a briefing on traffic management in the metropolis, read a statement issued by his spokesperson Abdur Rasheed Channa.

The chief minister issued instructions to prohibit parking on I.I. Chundrigar Road — from Shaheen Complex to Merewether Tower. He also issued orders to ban parking for all types of vehicles from Muhammad Bin Qasim Road to Dr Ziauddin Road up till SM Law College.

The chief minister was informed by traffic police authorities that a complete ban has been imposed on parking on pavements and main roads, while the authorities have allowed vehicle parking on Railway Ground.

CM Murad instructed that action should be taken against violation of traffic rules and illegal parking, and vehicles with fancy or illegal number plates should be confiscated.

The Sindh CM was informed that a crackdown is underway against vehicles with unregistered or non-standard number plates, and only official number plates will be acceptable. DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah assured him that police were taking action to ensure the implementation of traffic rules.

The Sindh government recently approved a set of changes, including a ban on four-seater rickshaws, mandatory third-party vehicle fitness checks, and sharp increases in traffic violation fines.

According to a statement from the home department, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar chaired the meeting to discuss necessary amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules in light of the alarming increase in the number of accidents in the province.

Briefed by the secretaries of law and transport, as well as the inspector general of police and deputy inspector general of traffic police, the meeting “approved plans to outsource vehicle fitness certification to third parties and enforce a ban on four-seater rickshaws,” the statement said.

According to the statement, key decisions taken during the meeting included mandatory fitness certification for both commercial and non-commercial vehicles, and outsourcing vehicle fitness evaluations to third parties.

The meeting also decided to ban the sale of tinted windows, fancy lights, and sirens, whether online or at physical shops.