Karachi bans heavy traffic movement during daytime for two months

The Karachi Commissioner has imposed a daytime ban on the movement of heavy traffic within city limits for a period of two months to ease congestion and reduce road accidents.

According to a notification issued by Commissioner Karachi Division Syed Hassan Naqvi, the restrictions have been enforced under Section 144 CrPC and will remain in effect from December 23, 2025 to February 22, 2026.

Under the orders, a complete ban has been placed on the movement of heavy vehicles across the city during 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, while dumpers carrying construction material will be barred from operating during 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, except during designated hours.

Karachi commissioner imposes night-only movement for heavy traffic to ease congestion

However, vehicles transporting essential commodities, including water, edible oil, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, medical gases categorised as life-saving drugs, meat, skin and other related items, have been exempted from the restrictions during the specified hours.

The notification also imposes a complete ban on the movement of heavy traffic on Jinnah Avenue, from Super Highway (M-9) near Saima Pari Classic and Rufi Global City up to Malir Halt, Shahrah-e-Faisal.

To facilitate smooth traffic flow, specific routes have been designated for the movement of heavy vehicles, excluding dumpers carrying construction material.

These include Super Highway via New Karachi Industrial Area and National Highway routes via Chowrangi intersections, along with Northern Bypass and RCD Highway routes.

An alternate route through Link Road (Eastern Bypass) connecting Kathore, Super Highway (M-9) and National Highway (N-5) has also been notified.

Moreover, dumpers fitted with approved tracking devices integrated with the Karachi Traffic Police monitoring system have been exempted from the restriction timings within the Industrial Zones of Karachi.

The notification authorises Station House Officers (SHOs) and traffic police officials to register cases against violators under Section 188 PPC for breach of Section 144 CrPC.

The move follows a request by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic), Karachi, citing increasing traffic congestion and a surge in road traffic accidents due to heavy vehicular movement during peak hours.