KMC to Impose Rs15,000 Fine for Wrong-Way Driving in Karachi

Karachi: In an effort to curb traffic violations and improve road safety, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has announced a plan to impose a fine of Rs15,000 on motorists caught driving against traffic on major city roads.

This new measure will be enforced by city wardens and is part of a broader road safety initiative launched on the directive of Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and the Karachi Task Force. A formal resolution supporting the fine is expected to be presented in the upcoming KMC council meeting for approval and execution.

Mayor Wahab emphasised the need for strict enforcement, saying that such violations often lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal accidents. He urged all motorists and motorcyclists to comply with traffic laws and assist authorities in ensuring safer roads across Karachi.

The decision comes at a critical time, as the city faces a disturbing rise in road accidents. In February 2025 alone, 73 people—including eight women and five children—lost their lives in traffic-related incidents, while over 700 sustained serious injuries, including more than 90 women.

This tragic trend has continued into April. As of April 10, the total number of fatalities has reached 138, with at least 16 women and 14 children among the deceased. Over 1,500 others have been seriously injured, including more than 160 women.

According to the Edhi Information Bureau, these figures reflect only the most severe cases reported at major tertiary-care hospitals. In reality, over 500 people, most of them motorcyclists, are brought to hospitals daily with injuries from traffic accidents caused by reckless driving, heavy vehicle movement, and weak traffic enforcement.