Karachi’s administration has announced a citywide traffic control measure that restricts two-seater and four-seater rickshaws on 26 major roads. The move comes after weeks of growing gridlock, long queues of vehicles and complaints from frustrated commuters stuck for hours on the city’s busiest routes.
The decision was finalized by Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi after a detailed review of traffic flow reports shared by the Traffic Police.
Officials say the step was necessary to restore smoother movement on the city’s main highways and business corridors. The notification was issued under Section 144, giving authorities the power to limit movement on specific roads for public safety and traffic management.
The list of restricted routes includes several key roads that connect commercial, residential, and industrial hubs. Among them are Shahrah-e-Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, II Chundrigar Road, Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Mauripur Road, Hub River Road, University Road and Stadium Road. These roads are known for heavy daily traffic due to office activity, markets, schools, and transport terminals.
According to officials, the decision to extend the ban was taken after an earlier notification issued in October prohibited rickshaws on 20 routes.
However, traffic continued to increase, prompting authorities to add six more roads to the list. The aim is to free up vital arteries from slow-moving vehicles that often cause bottlenecks during peak hours.
In a separate effort to improve mobility, the provincial government has also enforced new rules for heavy transport vehicles. These include a daytime restriction and a 30 km/h speed limit to reduce congestion around Karachi’s busiest intersections.
Authorities say the measures are temporary but necessary, and further adjustments will be made based on traffic conditions and public response.
