Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in E:\inetpub\vhosts\magtheweekly.com\httpdocs\10\news_feature.php on line 78

Warning: include(http://www.magtheweekly.com/skymidpage.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in E:\inetpub\vhosts\magtheweekly.com\httpdocs\10\news_feature.php on line 78

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://www.magtheweekly.com/skymidpage.php' for inclusion (include_path='.;./includes;./pear') in E:\inetpub\vhosts\magtheweekly.com\httpdocs\10\news_feature.php on line 78
If you travel back in time, you will remember (at least the senior citizens of Pakistan would) that in the 60s whenever the traffic conditions of Pakistan were under discussion it was unanimously agreed that if there is driving pleasure and traffic safety in Pakistan, it is definitely in Karachi. There used to be a network of roads with proper lanes chalked out for various purposes. Left lane was for the public transportation, middle road for slow drivers and the right one was the fast lane. Today, we go to the Western states and we come back impressed by the separate lanes for separate usages and we comment on that never being implemented in Karachi. Little do most of us know that this was being done way back in the 60’s – the golden era.
It was a truly cosmopolitan city. Buses plied the roads on the routes designated for them according to schedules that were strictly followed. And all it took was a single SP Traffic who maintained this order on the roads. Checkout the Almeid Chowki at Gora Qabristan named after the SP of 1967.
Come back to present times and not even a brigade of police officials can seem to control the mad onslaught of unchecked traffic. Step out on the road and you will be bombarded from all the sides by rash (read ignorant) drivers. And how do our police control them? Simple… if it’s a latest model vehicle the law enforcers simply turn their heads away from the law breakers and if it’s an old jalopy or an old motorcycle they will quickly flag you to a halt and fine you. And in the case of motorcyclists they will physically hold them by their collars (as witnessed by this scribe) and ensure they stop their prey. As prey is what these poor law breakers are for the law enforcers. The prey is their source of jaib kharch as our people fondly call it. I do not sympathise with the law breakers, but why not catch the big fish first who are damaging the country and its economy?
Why do I know this scenario so well, because I used to drive my dear old foxy around town, and whenever I parked the car outside a famous Shopping Plaza behind a brand new line of cars the policeman would make a beeline for my car and ask me to move it elsewhere. And my indignant response never wavered from, “First tell the cars parked ahead of me to move then I will follow suit!” Why these double standards.
But breaking of law does not stop at that. Another such incident, at the higher lever is the continuing of displaying party flags on private vehicles despite the fact that under Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Rules (MVR), even vehicles bearing government number plates are not allowed to carry these flags.
Again, why do I know this scenario, and once again so well? Because like the previous incident, I have been victim to this practice. On a hot, early June evening at 8:00 pm, I and my husband were going down the Irani bridge at a reasonable speed. When we came to the signal touching Dr. Ziauddin Road, we continued going straight as it was our right of way. However, two white fully-loaded cars, bearing the number plates GL 6260 and GL 6259, flying the flag of the ruling party, accompanied by a police mobile came tearing down towards us at breakneck speed breaking the red signal. As we were proceeding at a normal pace they started honking and flashing their car lights madly and were speeding at a rate which made my heart miss a beat as I thought at one point they would collide with us. This continued for the next couple of minutes; as they overtook our car, along with the police mobile, they continued disrupting the traffic and then made an abrupt turn inside the Chief Minister’s House! Their behaviour was definitely unacceptable, until and unless there was an emergency. But there didn’t seem to be any as the occupants of the cars appeared to be drivers who were in a merry mood laughing and gesturing at each other.
Not only did the government cars break rules within the span of a couple of minutes, they also scared me witless as I thought an accident was imminent while also putting the lives of those around at stake, and all the while the party flags were flying high on the cars!
The traffic police say that they are taking action against the offenders. Provincial Ministers, however still continue to flout this rule with abandon. Where are the law enforcers now?
As read in The News, a couple of weeks back, Provincial Police Officer (PPO) Sindh Dr Shoaib Suddle issued directives to the Traffic Department and said that vehicles with tinted windows, without registration plates, with neon lights, with party flags, and motorcycles with two pillion-riders should not be seen on the roads. He also warned that section officers allowing these violations to go unchecked twice would be suspended. For allowing such violations to go unchecked four times, the DSP concerned would be suspended. Dr Suddle further said that the zonal SP will be suspended and asked to report to the City Police Officer (CPO) for failing to control such violations 10 times. While DIG Traffic Wajid Ali Khan Durrani had said, “We are running a campaign against vehicles with tinted glasses, fancy number plates, AFR plates and pressure horns. We are also running a drive against party flags on private vehicles. The Home Minister himself ordered this campaign and we also asked parties to remove flags on their own. We are stopping and booking vehicles which are still violating this rule,” DIG Durrani said.
However, the party flags are still flying; cars with tinted screens and private number plates continue plying the road; and we wait for laws to be enforced! And the enforcement should be aimed at prevention and not towards punishment after the violation and which, when necessary should be very harsh and result-oriented. Despite the growing population and accordingly the growing number of vehicles, order can be maintained. Honesty, sincerity and will is required.
Along with the physical drill, these three things should also be drilled in the minds of police trainees of all cadres and at all stages - results would soon show.