Ticketing system in Karachi minibuses within 20 days: SA told

KARACHI : Sindh Minister for Transport Akhtar Jadon on Tuesday announced on floor of the Sindh Assembly that his department will restore ticketing system in public transport buses in Karachi within 20 days.

He said this while responding to a private resolution during the session of Sindh Assembly moved by MPA of MQM Rasheed Khan Bhai regarding restoration of ticketing system in public transport. Talking on his resolution, Rasheed Khan Bhai said public transporters were not issuing tickets to commuters. He said clashes between commuters and bus staff over this issue. He said due to non-availability of ticketing system in local transport buses, the government is also facing difficulties while recovering tax from transporters. He said ticketing system should be restored in Karachi buses.

MPA Alim-u-Rehman and others lawmakers of MQM endorsed the resolution. They said that the matter was sensitive, as it causes violence in the minibuses and coaches over not issuing tickets to passengers. Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durani has said the government intends to introduce Mass Transit System in Karachi soon. He said in this regard their final meeting is scheduled on 23rd February. Minister for Transport Jadoon said that he had visited Malaysia and signed a MoU with a company that will run its own public transport in Karachi. However, MQM PMs alleged that the Sindh transport minister was doing nothing to solve the chronic public transport problem in Karachi and instead issuing hollow statements. Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza asked Akhtar Jadoon to give a firm timeframe for introducing ticketing system in public transport vehicles in Karachi. On this the minister pledged that the system would be introduced within 20 days. On this assurance, Rasheed Khan Bhai announced to withdraw his resolution.