Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab faced strong criticism on Friday after arriving at the Sindh Assembly on an electric bike without wearing a helmet, despite strict enforcement of helmet laws across the city.
A video circulating on social media showed the mayor entering the assembly premises on the e-bike without protective headgear. The footage quickly went viral and sparked public debate over equal enforcement of traffic regulations and accountability for public office holders.
The incident gained attention because the provincial government is currently implementing an e-challan system under which motorcyclists can face fines of up to Rs. 10,000 for riding without helmets. Many citizens questioned why authorities continue strict action against the public while senior officials appear to ignore the same rules.
Speaking to reporters after arriving at the assembly, Wahab said riding a bike was “not difficult” and mentioned that he used to ride bicycles during his childhood. He explained that he had come to attend an official meeting at the assembly.
The Karachi mayor also admitted that although he possesses a car driving license, he currently does not hold a motorcycle license. He further stated that he would now purchase a helmet and apply for a proper motorcycle license following the criticism surrounding the incident.
Sindh’s automated e-challan system was launched in October last year under the Traffic Regulation and Citation System, commonly known as TRACS. The AI-assisted system uses nearly 1,200 CCTV cameras installed across Karachi to detect traffic violations including over-speeding, signal breaking, and helmet non-compliance. However, the initiative has remained controversial due to concerns over road infrastructure, traffic management, and fairness in implementation.
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