KARACHI: A child was killed after being run over by a water tanker in Buffer Zone area of Karachi, triggering public outrage as residents pelted the vehicle with stones and shattered its windows.
A day earlier, a motorcyclist lost his life in a similar accident near Jail Chowrangi Flyover, following which enraged citizens set five water tankers on fire.
Heavy contingents of police and Rangers arrived at the scene, while firefighters worked to control the flames.
The owner of the tanker involved in the accident claimed that another vehicle was responsible for the fatal collision, yet his tankers were targeted.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Following the burning of five water tankers, Karachi’s water tanker association announced a strike on February 19, halting operations in protest.
The tankers’ owners were of the opinion that despite being exempted from traffic restrictions by the authorities, traffic police continue to harass them.
They also expressed concerns over public hostility, citing fears that their vehicles might be attacked again.
After the strike water supply was disrupted across the city, with fears of an escalating water crisis, particularly in areas like Defence, Baldia Town, Orangi Town, where residents rely on water tankers due to inadequate pipeline supply.
On the other hand, Karachi has been witnessing an increase in deadly road accidents involving heavy vehicles.
Earlier this month, three people were killed when a waste collection truck crashed into several vehicles on Rashid Minhas Road.
In another tragic incident in Ibrahim Hyderi, a speeding dumper ran over three young motorcyclists, killing them on the spot.
The recent surge in fatal accidents has put increasing pressure on authorities.
Meanwhile, MQM-H chairman Afaq Ahmed warned in a press conference last week that citizens might take matters into their own hands if heavy traffic movement during the day wasn’t controlled.
The following day, at least four trucks were set on fire in Landhi and Korangi.
The situation led to Afaq Ahmed’s arrest after his press conference.
Meanwhile, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar backed his stance, warning that Karachi was on the verge of a major crisis, comparing the unrest to 1985.
He claimed that over 100 Karachiites had lost their lives due to reckless driving by dumpers and container trucks.
In response to the rising fatalities, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori wrote a second letter to the acting chief justice of the Sindh High Court, highlighting administrative negligence and legal violations as key factors behind the accidents.
The Karachi Commissioner also took notice of the situation and directed police to take strict action against reckless dumper drivers.
Political leaders urge not to politicize Karachi traffic accidents
Additionally, political parties held a joint conference to what Sattar said “..find solutions rather than giving this issue a political or ethnic angle.”
The leaders had suggested that water tankers should have designated operating hours to prevent congestion and accidents.
The Sindh government has now decided to ban the entry of dumpers into the city during the day, allowing them only between 11 PM and 6 AM.
Additionally, the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board has been instructed to shift its garbage collection operations to nighttime within three months.