IG Motorway Police Meets Goods Transporters in Karachi
The Inspector General of Motorway Police has announced a major crackdown on vehicle overloading across Pakistan’s motorway network. The decision was shared during a meeting held in Karachi between Inspector General Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry and a delegation of goods transporters.
The session focused on the growing problem of overloading on national motorways and the need for effective enforcement of axle load limits. Both sides discussed how unchecked overloading damages road infrastructure, slows traffic, increases accident risks and raises maintenance costs for the national exchequer.
Why Overloading on Motorways Is a Serious Safety Risk
Overloaded vehicles are more difficult to control, especially at high speeds on multi-lane motorways. Heavier loads increase braking distance, reduce vehicle stability and can lead to tyre bursts, brake failure or rollover incidents. These dangers do not affect only truck drivers but also buses, cars and motorbikes sharing the road.
Beyond safety, overloading also accelerates wear and tear on bridges, pavements and road surfaces. This shortens the life of expensive infrastructure and forces taxpayers to bear higher repair and reconstruction bills. The crackdown announced by the Motorway Police is therefore being framed not just as a law-and-order step but as a measure to protect public safety and national assets.
Transporters Call for Uniform and Fair Enforcement
During the Karachi meeting, representatives of the goods transport sector emphasised that enforcement against overloading must be strict but also uniform. They called for indiscriminate action across the board so that no operator can gain an unfair advantage by ignoring axle load rules while others comply.
Participants suggested that real change requires controlling overloading at the source rather than waiting until vehicles reach the motorway. They proposed tighter checks and systems at ports, factories, warehouses and loading points to stop overloaded vehicles from entering the motorway network in the first place. Such measures, they argued, would help create a level playing field and reduce confrontations at motorway interchanges and toll plazas.
Concerns Over Licenses, Challans and Driver Facilities
The All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association used the meeting to highlight broader issues faced by the sector. Members reported difficulties in obtaining heavy vehicle driving licences and asked for these licensing facilities to be made available in every sector so that drivers do not have to travel long distances or face long waiting times.
The association also raised objections over what it described as unauthorised challans issued to open-body vehicles. Transporters complained that unclear or overlapping rules create confusion for drivers and owners, and they urged the authorities to ensure that all fines and penalties are based strictly on law and notified regulations.
Responding to these concerns, the IG Motorway Police stated that the issuance of heavy vehicle driving licences would begin soon, which is expected to make it easier for drivers to meet legal requirements and operate on motorways with proper documentation.
Towards a Safer and Better-Regulated Transport System
The meeting ended with a shared commitment from both the Motorway Police and transporters to work together towards a safer, more regulated and better-organised transport system in Pakistan. While the goods transport community has demanded fair treatment and clearer rules, it has also publicly supported strict action against overloading, recognising that long-term stability in the sector depends on compliance by all operators.
Going forward, the announced crackdown on overloading is likely to be accompanied by more checks, weigh-ins and penalties on national motorways. Transporters and drivers are being encouraged to respect axle load limits, secure proper licences and avoid practices that risk lives or damage infrastructure. For ordinary road users, a consistent enforcement drive could translate into safer journeys and better-maintained highways over time.
