In a significant turn of events, Afaq Ahmed, the chairman of Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H), has reportedly been arrested following his media address criticizing the rise in traffic accidents in Karachi. Police sources confirmed on Tuesday that Afaq Ahmed was detained due to his “provocative statement.”
A spokesperson for MQM-H confirmed the arrest, stating that Afaq was taken from his residence in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area. However, the authorities have yet to disclose his whereabouts, leaving his party in the dark about his current location.
Afaq’s Press Conference on Dumper Truck Tragedies
Earlier in the day, Afaq Ahmed held a press conference where he drew attention to the alarming rise in fatalities caused by dumper trucks in Karachi. He revealed that within just 40 days, these vehicles were responsible for the deaths of 92 people in the city.
Highlighting the growing concern, Afaq praised the Sindh government’s recent decision to impose a ban on the entry of heavy vehicles into the city during daylight hours. This move came after a surge in accidents involving dumper trucks, prompting the government to restrict their movement. Under the new guidelines, these vehicles are only permitted to enter Karachi from 11 pm to 6 am.
He also pointed to the civil unrest resulting from traffic accidents, where angry mobs in areas like Landhi Town set vehicles on fire. Afaq urged the public to protest peacefully and avoid damaging property. “People should protest but not burn vehicles,” he emphasized during his speech.
Call for Action and Youth Involvement
Afaq took the opportunity to rally his supporters, particularly the “Muhajir” youth, urging them to take action against the growing problem. “Being an elder brother, I am ordering Muhajir youth that there should be no heavy traffic in the city from today,” he declared, calling on young people to block the entry of heavy vehicles into Karachi.
This directive came amid increasing frustration in Karachi, where traffic-related accidents have claimed the lives of at least 100 people in the past two months. Of these fatalities, 72 were in urban areas, while 24 occurred in the suburbs. In the most recent incidents, at least eight people were killed in separate accidents involving dumper trucks.
Authorities Respond to the Rising Casualties
The tragic series of accidents involving dumper trucks has prompted the provincial government to take swift action. The new ban, aimed at restricting the entry of large vehicles during daytime hours, is part of a broader effort to curb traffic-related fatalities in the city. Despite the government’s intervention, frustrations continue to mount, as local residents protest the growing number of deaths.
In the face of these protests and public unrest, the MQM-H chief’s arrest has further fueled tensions, with many questioning the government’s approach to handling the situation. As Karachi grapples with this ongoing crisis, all eyes remain on the authorities’ next steps in ensuring the safety of its residents.
