KARACHI – Citizens in Karachi set a garbage dumper truck ablaze late Monday night after it fatally hit a motorcyclist and injured his wife on Nishtar Road, police said. The tragedy quickly escalated into violence when shots were fired at the crowd during the chaos.
According to South DIG Syed Asad Raza, 23-year-old Shahzeb Shahid died on the spot, while his wife Misbah sustained injuries. The driver, identified as Niazullah Afzal, was arrested, and a case was registered against him under Sections 320 (negligent driving) and 337-G (hurt by rash or negligent driving) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
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Angered by the incident, locals torched the dumper truck, burning nearly 40% of it before authorities managed to control the blaze. Police and rescue officials shifted the injured woman to a nearby hospital, while the deceased’s body was handed over to his family.
A separate FIR was also lodged against Liaquat Mehsood, Sindh president of the All Dumper Truck Owners Association, and others after they allegedly opened fire at protesters. The case includes sections related to rioting and endangering human life. However, the dumpers’ association claimed that its official’s vehicle was attacked and threatened to block the Super Highway if their own complaint was not registered.
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The accident highlights a disturbing surge in fatal road crashes involving heavy vehicles in Karachi. Data shows nearly 500 deaths and 4,879 injuries in 2024 alone. Reckless driving, fake licenses, and poorly maintained trucks have been cited as key causes behind the recurring tragedies that continue to claim innocent lives on the city’s roads.