As national attention begins to return to everyday concerns, one issue demands urgent focus: the alarming rise in deadly accidents across Karachi, Pakistan’s largest metropolis. On Sunday evening, a man and his son were among three people killed when a dumper truck slammed into their vehicle on the northern bypass—a tragic but increasingly familiar story. In 2024 alone, 500 people lost their lives and nearly 5,000 were injured in similar incidents, most involving speeding heavy vehicles.

Despite public outcry and assurances from the Sindh government and the Pakistan People’s Party, the situation remains dire. Each day brings fresh reports of devastating crashes, sparking widespread frustration and fear. The mounting anger has also led to a disturbing new trend: local residents taking the law into their own hands—setting trucks on fire, attacking drivers, and adding lawlessness to tragedy. Karachi is becoming a city where frustration breeds vigilantism, and the rule of law is eroding.

This public reaction is not without cause. The government’s failure to implement a meaningful crackdown on reckless heavy vehicle operators has only deepened the sense of abandonment. There has been no enforcement of strict safety protocols, no real accountability for transport companies, and no overhaul of outdated traffic regulations. Instead, a culture of impunity flourishes while citizens pay the price. The grim frequency of these accidents has made such loss of life seem almost routine. That is a damning indictment of the authorities. Karachi’s roads should not be killing fields. The government must act not only to stop further bloodshed but also to restore public confidence.

This crisis is not beyond repair. It is a fixable problem—one that demands political will, professional urgency, and a real commitment to public safety. The Sindh government must stop offering condolences and start offering solutions.