Apex court suspends ban on heavy traffic movement in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench of Supreme Court, headed by Justice Saqib Nisar, suspended the Sindh High Court (SHC) orders pertaining to ban on movement of heavy traffic in Karachi on Thursday, ARY News reported.

Hearing two interlinked petitions filed by Sindh government and the transporters association, the top court ruled that the ban on heavy traffic movement is violation of the fundamental rights. The bench remarked that the high court had passed an order that was against its earlier verdict, announced in 2007.

During the court proceeding today, lawyer to Karachi Port Trust argued before the bench that the apex court had allowed the entry of heavy traffic in the city from 11pm to 6am but the high court prohibited complete movement of the heavy traffic in the city.

It is pertinent to mention here that the SHC had directed the transport and traffic authorities in March to ensure that movement of heavy vehicles was not allowed in Karachi at any time, except water tankers or, in special cases, vehicles carrying commodities for daily use.