Karachi Transport Ittehad Rejects Sindh Govt's 'Unrealistic' Vehicle Age Limit Notification

By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) has outright rejected a recent Sindh government notification, branding it as impractical and overly harsh for everyday transporters amid soaring costs and crumbling infrastructure.

In an emergency meeting chaired by KTI President Haji Muhammad Tawab Khan, senior leaders including Patron-in-Chief Syed Mahmood Afridi, General Secretary Muhammad Ilyas, and members like Muhammad Farooq, Khyal Muhammad, Faqir Muhammad Akhunzada, Abdul Rehman, Deen Muhammad Baloch, Ubaid Zafar, Gul Ameen, Naeem Siddiqui, and Mir Muhammad – along with dozens of transporters – slammed the September 23, 2025, directive.

The group unanimously called the rules "unrealistic under current conditions," pointing to pothole-riddled roads, skyrocketing prices for spare parts and tires, relentless fuel hikes, and a dire shortage of public vehicles. They zeroed in on the government's new 35-year vehicle age cap as "an unbearable restriction," warning it would sideline most buses, minibuses, coaches, and goods carriers.

"If enforced as is, transport operations in Karachi will grind to a halt," the alliance stated, urging the Sindh government to revise and simplify the provisions for easier compliance. Transporters stressed that without changes, the city's mobility crisis will worsen, hitting commuters hardest.

The notification stems from broader Sindh efforts to modernize transport, including World Bank-backed projects like the Yellow Line BRT. But critics argue it ignores ground realities, fueling calls for dialogue to balance safety with sustainability. KTI vows to push back until adjustments are made.