The ongoing public transport strike in Karachi has entered its second consecutive day, severely paralyzing daily life and leaving thousands of citizens stranded across the metropolis. Daily-wage workers and salaried employees are facing immense difficulties reaching their workplaces, with many forced to walk long distances, while patients trying to visit major healthcare facilities like Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and Civil Hospital have also been left completely helpless. Taking advantage of this acute transport shortage, online ride-hailing services and Qingqi rickshaws have drastically increased their fares, further exploiting the commuters financially.
This widespread crisis persists as negotiations between the Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) and the provincial government ended in a complete deadlock over heavy fines and the e-challan system. KTI President Haji Nawab Khan confirmed the extension of the strike into Friday due to the failed talks, while the Sindh government has yet to take any concrete or effective steps to resolve the matter and restore public transport.
