Pakistani politician rejects ethnic link in rising road fatalities in Karachi

In Pakistan's largest city, a surge in road accidents involving heavy vehicles has led to vigilante justice and ethnic tensions. A local politician stepped in on Saturday, emphasizing that the issue is administrative, not ethnic, in nature.

Karachi has recently been shaken by a string of serious incidents, especially involving dumpers and water tankers, where motorcyclists have paid the ultimate price. One such tragedy in March brought the problem into sharp focus, when a couple was crushed by a heavy vehicle. The woman, who was pregnant, lost her life after her abdomen ruptured, and her newborn, born on the road, also died from the injuries. The horrifying incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage and a collective call for tougher action against reckless drivers.

Late on the night of Wednesday, April 9, violent mob in Karachi set fire to nine dumpers and water tankers near the main road leading to North Karachi, after a heavy vehicle collided with a motorcyclist, leaving him injured.

Politician speaks out, reject ethnic labeling

As the debate over the rising road fatalities continues, Shahi Sayed, a leader of the Pashtun-dominated Awami National Party (ANP), weighed in, stressing that the issue should not be framed as an ethnic one. He pointed out that it’s primarily an administrative failure, and warned against attempts to give the problem an ethnic twist, urging people to focus on the root causes.

During his press conference, he emphasized that the real issue is not what some may claim, but rather unemployment and the erosion of merit. He pointed out that due to rising inflation, the people of Karachi are increasingly frustrated and mentally strained. "We respect everyone, especially the Urdu-speaking community, as they equally like us," he said.

He also denounced the practice of issuing vehicle maintenance certificates in exchange for bribes and called for an end to such corruption. In his appeal, he urged the people of Karachi not to let emotions cloud their judgment and to avoid falling victim to manipulation by others.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, leader of MQM-Pakistan, a party well-known among Karachi's Urdu-speaking community, stressed that while his party represents the city’s "largest ethnic group", its mission is to serve all communities within Karachi.

"While MQM is the voice of the largest ethnic group in the city, our goal is to represent every ethnic community moving forward," he said. "Our primary responsibility is to ensure the city doesn't fall back into the conditions it once faced."