Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon remarked that traffic policemen are among the most vulnerable members of society, often working long hours in extreme temperatures of 40 to 45 degrees Celsius. His comments were made in response to a call attention notice from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) MPA Jamal Ahmed, who expressed concerns about underage children driving rickshaws in Karachi without facing fines and pointed out the lack of traffic police presence during school hours.
Memon acknowledged that there are both good and bad individuals in every profession, but it is unjust to hold the entire traffic department accountable for the actions of a few. He emphasized that traffic policemen have previously endured targeted attacks in Karachi, yet they continue to fulfill their duties bravely. He warned that blaming the entire department for individual incidents only demoralizes those officers who risk their lives daily.
While addressing the assembly about the notice, Memon reported that from January 1 to October 30, 304 challans were issued for underage driving, leading to Rs912,000 in fines collected by the government. Additionally, 1,860 people were fined for driving without a license, generating Rs3.72 million in revenue. He also noted that 60 Qingqi rickshaws were penalized for traffic violations, collecting a total of Rs120,000 in fines, despite their official ban due to a court injunction.
Memon pointed out that while the MQM-P MPA raised issues regarding children driving rickshaws, the problem extends to children operating motorcycles, cars, and even SUVs. He stressed that the primary responsibility lies with the parents, questioning why society is ignoring this issue. He cautioned that if a child were involved in an accident due to negligent driving, it could be classified as manslaughter, urging a collective awareness of the importance of adhering to traffic rules.
