HUM Network staffer succumbs to injuries after water tanker hits motorcycle in Karachi

KARACHI: A HUM Network staffer died of his injuries on Tuesday after being hit by a speeding water tanker in Karachi, police said.

Syed Shaheer Hussain Zaidi, Assistant Manager Edit, International Business & Operations Department, Islamabad, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital hours after a water tanker struck his motorcycle on the Karimabad flyover in central Karachi.

“The driver fled the scene immediately after the crash,” police said. An angry mob gathered at the site and smashed the tanker’s windows before police took the vehicle into custody. A search operation is under way to arrest the driver, police added.

Hours later, another speeding water tanker struck a motorcycle near the Johar Mor intersection, killing one man and injuring another. The accident sparked fresh unrest in the area, with residents setting the tanker on fire before law enforcement intervened.

The two incidents highlight a recurring pattern of fatal accidents involving dumpers and water tankers in Karachi, where heavy vehicles have frequently been involved in deadly crashes.

Following public outrage, Karachi Traffic Police announced an immediate ban on the entry and movement of dumpers and water tankers not equipped with functional GPS tracking devices.

“From now on, only heavy vehicles fitted with GPS trackers will be allowed to operate on Karachi’s roads, and their tracking systems will be linked directly to the Karachi Traffic Police command centre,” a police spokesperson said.

The tracking system will allow authorities to monitor vehicle speeds and designated routes in real time. Fleet owners have been directed to install the devices within the prescribed deadline or face restrictions on operating within the city.

In February 2025, Karachi Traffic Police met representatives of the Goods Carrier Association and directed all trucks and dumpers to install front and rear dashboard cameras to assist investigations into road accidents.

Later that month, the Sindh government barred dumper trucks from operating within Karachi during daytime hours. Under the directive, heavy vehicles are permitted to enter the city only between 11 pm and 6 am.

Despite these measures, enforcement has remained inconsistent, with heavy commercial vehicles continuing to operate on major roads during peak hours, contributing to repeated fatal accidents.