Bus Brake Failure Near Karachi’s Market Causes Traffic Chaos

News Desk
KARACHI: A major public transport bus suffered a sudden brake failure near the busy Liaquatabad Super Market area in Karachi, narrowly avoiding a major catastrophe in one of the metropolis’s most congested commercial zones.
The incident, which occurred during peak traffic hours, triggered immediate panic among commuters and pedestrians as the out-of-control vehicle veered across the road before finally coming to a halt against a roadside barrier.
Local police and rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately after receiving emergency calls from eyewitnesses.
According to initial reports from traffic police officials, the driver lost control of the passenger-laden bus due to a sudden mechanical failure in the braking system. Fortunately, no loss of life or severe injuries were reported, though several passengers sustained minor bruises during the sudden deceleration and subsequent scramble to evacuate the vehicle.
The driver was temporarily detained for questioning regarding the vehicle’s maintenance history.
This alarming incident once again highlights the precarious state of public transport safety in Pakistan’s financial capital. Karachi’s public transit network is notorious for operating aging, poorly maintained buses that frequently bypass mandatory fitness inspections.
Citizens and urban planning experts have long criticized the Sindh Transport Department and local traffic authorities for failing to enforce strict safety standards, leaving millions of daily commuters vulnerable to preventable mechanical disasters on busy public arteries.
Following the incident, the Karachi Traffic Police initiated a temporary diversion to clear the resulting gridlock near Liaquatabad. Authorities have launched a formal inquiry into the vehicle’s fitness certification, with transport officials promising a renewed crackdown on non-compliant commercial vehicles.
A comprehensive inspection report of the impounded bus is expected to be finalized by the motor vehicle examiner within the next 48 hours.