KARACHI: The Sindh government today (Friday) issued a notification outlining the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed by bus operators for intra-city travel within districts.
According to the notification issued by the provincial government, passenger vehicles operating from one city to another in Sindh will operate at only 50 percent of its capacity.
“The decision is in force with immediate effect and is binding on all passenger vehicles being used for intercity transport in the province,” the notification added. “All coronavirus SOPs will be strictly enforced and those who violate them will be punished.” transport Secretary Shariq Ahmad.
Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah indicated the government’s intention to introduce new restrictions on transport.
Speaking at an event in Karachi, he questioned the PTI-led federal government’s decision to impose a coronavirus lockdown earlier when it was the one that criticised the move when Sindh went ahead with the plan.
He had also underlined that the PPP-led provincial government had recommended shutting down intercity transport for at least two weeks — which, according to him, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said the NCOC would consider.
“India’s mistake was that it did tell people to return to their homes but hundreds of thousands of people took trains, buses, and public transport to return to their villages and they interacted there and went on to infect their villages,” he added.
