Manan Mandokhail:
QUETTA: In Balochistan’s provincial capital, over 24,000 rickshaws have been operating for the last few years. Roads are clogged as more than 24,000 rickshaws run without official permission, commonly called the ‘permit’.
A drive is scheduled to be launched against illegal vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles on the directives of caretaker Excise and Taxation Minister, Prince Ahmed Ali. Mr. Ali chaired a high-level meeting the other day and reviewed all arrangements for the crackdown in this regard.
Only 16,000 legal rickshaws
This was revealed by the Secretary of Excise and Taxation, Syed Zafar Ali Bukhari while talking to reporters on Wednesday. He said the number of rickshaws running on roads and streets of Quetta is over 40,000 and only 16,000 of them had the official permits.
Crackdown from Oct 11
The Secretary’s comments have come after issues of worst traffic jams in the provincial capital. Excise Department with the help of the police decided to launch a campaign against unregistered vehicles and rickshaws from October 11 this month, Syed Zafar Bukhari announced.
Thousands of illegal motorcycles
Mr. Bukhari informed thousands of motorcycles are also on the streets of Quetta, he said that unregistered rickshaws and motorcycles are the main cause of accidents and traffic jams in the city. “We have decided to take legal action against owners of illegal rickshaws and vehicles”, he mentioned.
Thousands of NCP vehicles in Quetta
Vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles will be stopped throughout the city on October 11 to address the issue of traffic jams and ensure the implementation of the law, Syed Zafar Bukhari stated.
Quetta City is also facing the issue of non-custom paid vehicles. Scores of non-custom paid vehicles roam on the roads of the provincial capital for the last few years. So far no considerable action has been taken against the influential owners of vehicles.
