In Karachi, Syed Shaheer Hussain Zaidi, Assistant Manager Edit at HUM Network’s International Business & Operations Department in Islamabad, lost his life on Tuesday following a collision with a speeding water tanker. The accident occurred on the Karimabad flyover, where the tanker struck Zaidi’s motorcycle. He succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital hours later.
Following the crash, the tanker driver fled the scene. An enraged crowd gathered at the location, damaging the tanker’s windows before police intervened and took the vehicle into custody. Authorities have launched a search operation to apprehend the driver.
In a related incident hours later, another water tanker traveling at high speed collided with a motorcycle near the Johar Mor intersection, resulting in one fatality and one injury. This accident triggered unrest among local residents, who set the tanker ablaze before law enforcement restored order.
These two tragic events underscore a persistent issue in Karachi, where heavy vehicles such as dumpers and water tankers are frequently involved in deadly accidents. In response to public outrage, Karachi Traffic Police have imposed an immediate ban on the movement of dumpers and water tankers that lack functional GPS tracking devices.
Authorities have mandated that only heavy vehicles equipped with GPS trackers linked directly to the Karachi Traffic Police command center will be permitted to operate on city roads. This system will enable real-time monitoring of vehicle speeds and routes. Fleet owners have been instructed to install these devices within a specified deadline or face operational restrictions within Karachi.
Earlier, in February 2025, Karachi Traffic Police engaged with the Goods Carrier Association, directing all trucks and dumpers to install front and rear dashboard cameras to aid accident investigations. Subsequently, the Sindh government restricted dumper truck operations within Karachi to nighttime hours, allowing entry only between 11 pm and 6 am.
Despite these regulations, enforcement has been inconsistent, with heavy commercial vehicles continuing to operate during peak hours on major roads. This ongoing issue contributes to repeated fatal accidents involving such vehicles in the city.
