Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic Police Asif Ejaz Shaikh on Sunday vowed to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the holy month of Ramazan. He made this pledge during his visit to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) along with dozens of his subordinates such as SSPs, SPs, DSPs and SOs.
His visit to the apex trade body was primarily aimed at informing the business community on rules and regulations to be implemented during the Ramazan. Former chief executive Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) SM Munir, incumbent FPCCI president Zubair F Tufail, chairman standing committee on law and order Nadeem Khan, Haseeb Khan, Javed Bilwani and other trade representatives were also present.
The DIG Traffic said his department is fully committed to facilitate citizens through proper traffic regulations. The FPCCI president in his address assured his co-operation with the city police for traffic regulation. However, he expressed concern over Sindh High Court's verdict banning the movement of heavy vehicles in the city during daytime. He said that it not only created troubles to the business community but also caused problems for port handlings and a loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer. He said such judgement would lead to collapse of economy. The export process was completely halted and export containers' transportation on all terminals of the ports in Karachi remained suspended.
He requested the judges to ponder upon possible consequences before making any crucial decision. He said the industrial raw material comes from the port, requesting the judiciary and police to find a way to exempt some essential commodities from the ban.
Javed Bilwani said the SHC's verdict hampered the business activities in the port city. He said various consignment orders were cancelled during recent traders' strike. "As long as business-friendly environment is not ensured, the country will remain incapable to compete with its global competitors," he said underlining the need of infrastructural development to strengthen economy. He said construction of highways, motorways, purchase of containers, heavy vehicles and machinery, and reduced cost of doing business were required to increase the country's exports volume to the tune of $50 billion.
He said Bangladesh has almost doubled its exports as compared to Pakistan simply because of business-friendly policies of its government. SM Munir hailed the police for its service and sacrifices to restore peace. He said law and order was the major issue of the country, however the law enforcement agencies particularly the police and rangers personnel were all busy to steer the country out of the menace of terrorism.
During the meeting, the SOs highlighted problems they face in their respective areas. Lack of parking places and of traffic sense among motorists and rush of vendors, were some of the issues that resulted in traffic chaos in Karachi.