Karachi Commuters Struggle as Rickshaw Ban Takes Effect on Key Routes
KARACHI:
Many Karachi residents experienced road chaos during Wednesday morning because they lost the essential motor-cab rickshaw transportation system.
Daily commuters experienced shock when officials implemented an immediate prohibition against One Plus Two and One Plus Four rickshaws. Students with classes along with working professionals became the most impacted group because they had to find substitute transportation after rickshaws disappeared unexpectedly from the roads.
At the same time the II Chundrigar Road kept seeing occasional non-compliant rickshaw operations which occurred alongside the complete absence of these vehicles on Johar to Qayumabad routes.
Two-Month Restriction Imposed on Specific Rickshaw Types
The administration of Karachi Division ordered a ban that will last two months for motor-cab rickshaws to operate on 11 key city routes. The two-month restriction bars “One Plus Two” and “One Plus Four” rickshaws from operating between April 15 and June 14, 2025.
Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi applied sections from the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to implement the order that the DIG Traffic Police had recommended. The authorities introduced this policy to reduce traffic jams while controlling the expanding number of illegal taxi stops throughout unauthorized routes.
Any person disregarding the ban faces legal consequences under the Pakistan Penal Code’s Section 188 that deals with public official orders’ violation.
The government has banned the operation of rickshaws in certain specified areas.
The One Plus Two and One Plus Four models of rickshaws have been prohibited from using major roads across Lahore.
Sharae Faisal: From Awari signal to Madam Apartments near Jinnah Airport
II Chundrigar Road: From Merewether Tower to Shaheen Complex
These following limitations regulate the operation of “One Plus Four” rickshaws:
Shahrah-e-Qaideen: Between Numaish Chowrangi and Nursery Market on Sharae Faisal
Sher Shah Suri Road: From Matric Board Office to Nagan Chowrangi, North Nazimabad
Shaheed-e-Millat Road: From Jail Chowrangi to the Shaheed-e-Millat Expressway
Abdullah Haroon Road: From Do Talwar (Clifton) to Hashoo Centre (Saddar) via Hoshang Road and Khayaban-e-Iqbal
Rickshaws can move from Do Talwar to Shahrah-e-Firdous to reach up to the Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine.
Stadium Road: From Millennium Mall to New Town Police Station
Sir Shah Suleman Road: From Sir Habib Ibrahim Road to Hassan Square and Karsaz
Rashid Minhas Road: From Drigh Road Railway Station to Sohrab Goth
Maripur Road: From Gulbai Truck Stand to the ICI Bridge
The authorities established the ban because citizens were complaining about unauthorized rickshaw spots and illegal operations which created major traffic congestion on roads.
Every Station House Officer (SHO) has received orders from Commissioner Naqvi to thoroughly inspect their areas to enforce the prohibition against illegal activities while taking action against lawbreakers.
