Federal Failure Compels Sindh to Form Highway Police: Hemnani

Karachi: Sindh Government Spokesperson Sukhdev Hemnani has strongly criticized the Federal Government for what he termed “persistent neglect and dangerous mismanagement” of national highways and motorways in Sindh, warning that the deteriorating infrastructure is costing precious human lives and inflicting heavy economic damage.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Hemnani expressed grave concern over the worsening condition of key federal routes, including the N-5, N-55, and M-9, where fatal accidents and multi-vehicle collisions have become alarmingly frequent. He said dozens of lives are being lost every month due to poor road conditions, weak traffic enforcement, and the failure of the National Highway Authority (NHA) to properly maintain these vital arteries.

Hemnani noted that law enforcement on national highways falls under the jurisdiction of the National Highways & Motorway Police, yet the continued lack of effective oversight has compelled the Sindh Government to establish its own Highway Police to safeguard commuters. He questioned why the NHA continues to collect substantial toll taxes every 50 to 60 kilometers while failing to provide even basic safety standards and maintenance.

Referring to the Indus Highway, Hemnani said the Jamshoro–Sehwan section of the Indus Highway remains incomplete despite Sindh having deposited its full financial contribution for the dual carriageway project. Federal delays and administrative inefficiency, he said, are directly contributing to recurring tragedies.

He highlighted recent deadly crashes on the N-5 in Naushahro Feroze and Tando Masti (Khairpur), as well as accidents on the Manjhand stretch of the N-55 and near Karachi on the M-9, which have claimed more than three dozen lives within a single month.

Hemnani also condemned the prolonged and poorly managed repair work on the N-5 between Moro and Ranipur, where one carriageway has remained closed for months without an alternate diversion plan. The resulting traffic congestion, he said, has severely disrupted trade routes, increased fuel costs, delayed transportation of goods, and caused immense hardship to commuters and transporters for nearly six months.

He further pointed to what he described as deliberate delays in the Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway project, contrasting it with rapid federal support for motorway development in other provinces. Sindh’s highways, he emphasized, are strategically vital for national trade, port connectivity, and inter-provincial commerce, yet continue to be overlooked.