Drug testing begins for truck drivers in Karachi, transporters call it ‘unfair’

In a bold and first-of-its-kind move, Karachi Traffic Police have launched an aggressive crackdown on heavy vehicle drivers — conducting on-the-spot drug testing as part of a sweeping campaign to improve road safety in the city.

Under the orders of DIG Traffic Karachi, additional police personnel have been stationed at key intersections and highways. Along with routine checks of vehicle documents and driving licenses, officers are now collecting blood samples from drivers to test for alcohol and other intoxicants.

Medical laboratory teams are working on-site to assist in the testing. Officials say the goal is to ensure that drivers of large commercial vehicles — dumpers, trailers, and trucks — are fit for duty and not under the influence while on the road.

"If a driver tests positive, their license will be immediately revoked, and legal action will be taken," said Karachi Traffic Police in its press release.

The move comes amid growing alarm over fatal traffic collisions involving heavy vehicles. According to Karachi Traffic Police data, 121 people have died and 123 have been injured in 105 heavy vehicle-related accidents so far this year.

Transporters push back: ‘A drama by the government’

The crackdown has provoked criticism from the city’s transport community.

Speaking to Nukta, Haji Liaquat Mehsud, President of the All Sindh Truck and Dumper Association, rejected the government’s narrative and termed the entire operation a ‘drama.’

‘The Sindh government is staging a drama and mistreating transporters,” Mehsud said. "Before taking any next steps, we will consult with our members and transporters to decide our future course of action."

Dismissing the emphasis on accidents in Karachi, Mehsud argued, "Accidents happen all over the country — Peshawar, Quetta, Multan — not just here. Every truck is worth more than PKR 15 million. When there’s an accident, it’s the owner who bears the loss, not the government."

He also criticized the condition of city infrastructure, blaming poor road maintenance for many of the accidents.

"We pay the highest taxes, yet roads are broken, potholes are never fixed, and there’s rampant encroachment. Vendor stalls, shops, pushcarts, and trailers — all have encroached upon the roadside space. It’s mismanagement, not just driver behavior, that causes accidents," he said.

Mehsud added that targeting drivers without addressing deeper urban planning and infrastructure issues amounts to scapegoating transporters.

A divided road ahead

While the authorities insist the crackdown is about public safety and accountability, the reaction from transporters highlights a growing rift over how to address Karachi’s traffic crisis. With heavy vehicle accidents continuing to claim lives — and resistance from within the industry mounting — the city's road safety challenge is far from over.