KARACHI: Sindh government sensing the worsening situation at ports and possible breakdown of law and order moved Supreme Court against an order passed by a division bench of High Court of Sindh which banned movement of heavy vehicles in down town areas of the city round the clock.
The petitioner submitted that Supreme Court has banned the movement of heavy vehicles in day time i.e. 6 a.m till 8 a.m while SHC has placed a total ban as a result of which commercial activity has come to a grinding halt. The apex court was prayed to set aside the order of the SHC which it said was impossible to implement. The application was filed at Karachi Registry of Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The SHC order came in a public interest litigation filed by a citizen concerned over traffic mess, fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles including Water tankers etc. Interestingly Sindh government and Sindh Police appeared to be at opposite poles as DIG Traffic Karachi in his reports to the SHC said that complete ban on movement of commercial vehicles, truck, trailers has resulted in improved flow of traffic as well as drop in number of fatal accidents.
The Sindh Government apparently resorted to delay tactics while Focal Person for Chief Secretary made a report different from one submitted by the Chief Secretrary Sindh at which the bench has summoned CS to appear in person on May 20. Earlier in the day, Businessmen filed an application before SHC seeking an amendment allowing movement of heavy vehicles after midnight till dawn.