Minor car driver flees after violating signal under Karachi Traffic Police Chief’s nose

KARACHI: In a striking incident during a traffic enforcement drive, a minor driver managed to flee after violating a traffic signal in the presence of Karachi’s traffic police chief, Syed Pir Muhammad Shah.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at Teen Talwar in Clifton, where the city’s traffic police were conducting a crackdown against vehicles with fancy number plates and tinted windows.

According to reports, the 16-year-old driver was stopped by traffic police for underage driving, reckless behavior, and allegedly using a police-style flashing light on his vehicle.

Although he initially stepped out of the car. However, he took advantage of the situation, quickly got back in, and sped away, breaking the traffic signal and dodging police officials.

The episode took place in front of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic, raising concerns about enforcement effectiveness during the campaign.

The crackdown is part of a province-wide operation launched from April 1 under directives of the Sindh government against vehicles with fancy, fake, or non-standard number plates. Authorities are also strictly checking vehicles with tinted windows.

During the same operation at Teen Talwar, another vehicle with tinted windows and a fancy number plate was stopped. A woman driving the car reportedly created a disturbance upon being stopped, after which police issued a fine of Rs20,000.

Officials said strict checking is underway for all vehicles not complying with government-approved number plate standards or those operating without registration plates.

Motorcyclists have also been directed to display number plates on both the front and rear of their bikes. Citizens who have not yet received official plates from the Excise Department have been advised to install temporary plates as per the approved design.

The ongoing operation is being carried out jointly by district police, traffic police, the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), and the Excise Department. As part of the initiative, drivers without valid licenses are being issued learner driving permits on the spot to bring them into the legal framework.