JI holds ‘bike rally' against new number plates
The Sindh government's move, part of a broader vehicle documentation campaign, has drawn sharp criticism for allegedly enabling 'harassment and extortion on the city's roads'.
The rally, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chapter, was led by party chief Monem Zafar Khan and began at Five-Star roundabout in North Nazimabad, culminating at Fresco roundabout in Saddar. Participants, many holding placards and chanting slogans, criticised the provincial administration for focusing on number plates while the megacity continues to suffer from chronic shortages of water, electricity, public transport, and functional roads. 'There are nearly 4.5 million motorcyclists in Karachi alone, and they, along with other motorists, are being targeted in the name of new number plates,' Monem said in his address. 'All the PPP government has to offer Karachiites is number plates.'
The protest comes in the wake of widespread reports of harassment on city roads, with vehicles impounded and drivers allegedly forced to pay bribes for non-compliance with the government's order.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Navy chief highlights combat readiness, maritime tech in command and staff conference
The Command and Staff Conference of the Pakistan Navy was held at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf presiding over the session, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday. The conference reviewed the Pakistan Navy's operational plans, strategic policies, and future roadmap. Senior leadership, including principal staff officers and field commanders, attended the high-level meeting. Admiral Ashraf lauded the Navy's unwavering maritime defence capabilities during Ma'araka-e-Haq (Battle of Truth), emphasising the force's critical role in ensuring maritime security. PAF chief's visit to US reinforces defence cooperation: ISPR The Naval Chief also appreciated the efforts to maintain uninterrupted commercial shipping and port operations along sea lines of communication. He called for sustained combat readiness to counter both conventional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain. Underscoring the importance of modern technologies, Admiral Ashraf stressed the enhanced use of drones and autonomous surface and sub-surface vessels, also known as naval drones, for surveillance and operations at sea. The conference reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to safeguarding Pakistan's maritime interests amid evolving regional and global maritime dynamics.
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
3 killed, 7 injured as passenger bus comes under fire in Balochistan's Kalat
At least three people were killed and seven others injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus traveling from Karachi to Quetta in the Kalat district of Balochistan, a government spokesperson said Wednesday. According to Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, 'Three passengers were martyred and seven others were injured in the tragic incident.' The injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital Kalat for treatment, where an emergency was declared. He said security forces, the district administration, and rescue teams immediately reached the site, cordoned off the area, and launched a search operation to track down the attackers. The attack was strongly condemned by Pakistani leaders, who blamed the assault on terrorist elements backed by hostile foreign forces. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in what he called a cowardly terrorist attack by 'Fitna-e-Hindustan', a term used by the government for India-backed militants operating in Balochistan. The prime minister offered prayers for the martyrs and wished a swift recovery for the injured. He directed authorities to provide immediate medical assistance to the wounded and vowed a strong response. 'The terrorists who targeted innocent and unarmed civilians will pay a very heavy price,' he said. 'The government and security forces are fully determined to eradicate terrorism from the country.' Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack and described the targeting of innocent passengers as a 'cowardly act.' He said such attacks are part of a wider conspiracy to destabilize the country, adding, 'With the nation's support, we will foil the plots of these Indian-sponsored terrorists.' Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called the attack 'barbaric,' stressing that such elements must be eliminated to ensure peace and progress. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman also denounced the assault, terming it a 'heinous crime.' She urged the government to take 'decisive and robust action' against the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice.
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Business Recorder
JI team urges DIG Traffic to address public grievances
KARACHI: A high-level delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sindh, led by provincial chief Kashif Saeed Sheikh, has met with DIG Traffic Karachi Pir Muhammad Shah, voicing serious concerns over worsening traffic conditions. According to the JI on Tuesday, the delegation raised important issues such as repeated accidents involving dumpers, and what they described as the 'humiliation of citizens' under the pretext of enforcing new vehicle number plates. The JI delegation, which included Karachi Chief Munem Zafar Khan, Hafiz Nasrullah Channa, General Secretary Muhammad Yousuf, Allama Hizbullah Jakhro, Muslim Pervez, and Zahid Hussain Rajpar, criticized the ongoing traffic crackdown in various parts of the city. They highlighted how traffic police were issuing what they called 'unnecessary and excessive challans,' particularly in relation to the rollout of new number plates bearing Ajrak patterns — a cultural symbol of Sindh. 'Ajrak represents Sindh's heritage, but using it to justify economic exploitation and public humiliation is unacceptable,' said Kashif Saeed Sheikh. 'The traffic police's behaviour has crossed a line — this is no longer about traffic regulation but about infringing on people's dignity.' Sheikh emphasized that JI respects constitutional and civil law but asserted that the authorities' handling of the number plate issue constituted a violation of basic human rights. He questioned the imbalance between Karachi's deteriorating road infrastructure — which he likened to 'Mohenjo-Daro' — and the imposition of enforcement measures resembling those in Dubai or Europe. 'This mismatch is an injustice and a form of oppression,' he said. The delegation claimed that the current enforcement drive had become a new source of financial and emotional strain for Karachi's residents, who are already reeling under inflation and rampant street crime. They alleged widespread corruption in the issuance of number plates and a lack of transparency in how fines are administered and collected. 'Changing a number plate shouldn't require months of follow-up, police harassment, and heavy penalties,' said Munem Zafar Khan. 'The real issue lies in systemic corruption and the unaccountable behaviour of the traffic police, not the number plates themselves.' In response, DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah acknowledged the grievances and assured the delegation that his department would develop a strategy to provide relief to the public. He pledged to address concerns related to traffic congestion, plate issuance delays, and public treatment — especially under the framework of the city's broader Safe City initiative. During the meeting, the JI delegation also offered condolences to the DIG on the recent passing of his father, praying for the departed soul's elevation. The JI leadership urged the provincial government to reconsider the number plate policy, end the heavy-handed fines, and prioritize reforms that bring transparency and dignity back to traffic enforcement in Karachi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
