DIG traffic replaced amid rising dumper accidents in Karachi

A rising number of fatal accidents in Karachi, caused by reckless heavy vehicle drivers, prompted authorities to replace Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Traffic Karachi Range Ahmed Nawaz Cheema.

A notification issued by the Sindh government’s Service General Administration and Coordination Department on Thursday stated that Pir Muhammad Shah was appointed the new DIG Traffic Karachi.

Cheema was directed to report to the Central Police Office. 

Meanwhile, Omar Shahid Hamid, a 20-grade police officer, was posted as DIG Special Branch, while Fida Hussain Mastoi was transferred and posted as DIG Traffic Hyderabad.

Read: Sindh govt announces new timings for dumpers in Karachi

The major decisions regarding traffic regulations were taken in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah. 

In the meeting, the authorities revised the timings of heavy traffic, which would allow vehicles to operate in the city from 10 am to 6 am. 

Expressing concerns over the increasing number of traffic incidents in Karachi, the Chief Minister directed the authorities to take strict measures to enforce traffic laws and vehicle regulations and declared the fitness certificate mandatory for all vehicles operating in Sindh. 

Speaking to the media following the meeting, Information Minister Sharjeel Memon stated that the government decided to tighten oversight on vehicles. 

All heavy traffic must now obtain valid fitness certificates from the transport department while unfit vehicles will be banned from operating on the roads. 

Read: Dumper association thanks Sindh govt for Afaq Ahmed's arrest

The development came after a notable increase in heavy traffic accidents in Karachi. The death toll from dumper accidents reached 108 within 45 days of the year 2025, which prompted citizens to torch dumpers and truck at several places in the port city. 

Subsequently, the authorities apprehended founder Afaq Ahmed, citing he provoked citizens for the aforementioned disturbance in peace. 

However, MQM-P’s leader Mustafa Kamal backed Afaq Ahmed's statement and demanded his release, stating that "This is not a Muhajir-Pashtun issue, but a protest against reckless driving that is causing the deaths of innocent people."

He blamed the Sindh government for the situation.