Following Punjab’s government decision to ban Qingqi rickshaws across the province, the Rawalpindi district administration has formulated a strategy to eliminate these three-wheelers from the city.
A senior official of the district administration told a national daily that they plan to get rid of all the Qingqi rickshaws across the garrison city in two phases. In the first phase, manufacturing factories of such vehicles will be sealed, and in the second phase, a complete ban will be imposed on using motorcycle rickshaws as a means of public transport and loading vehicles.
He added that the administration will form teams of various departments, encompassing Regional Transport Authority, City Traffic Police, Special Branch, and District Police. This team will be empowered to take action against motorcycle rickshaw manufacturing units across Rawalpindi.
The official further stated that a list of all such factories will be compiled and submitted to the provincial government, adding that Qingqi rickshaw manufacturing factories have been declared illegal by the government.
He revealed that police officials will be deployed on various routes and any motorcycle rickshaw entering the route will be impounded at the police station, along with a heavy fine on the driver.
“It has been decided that soon after the announcement of the policy on motorcycle rickshaws by the Punjab government, action not only be taken against those who book motorcycle rickshaws for loading but also against those who load goods on these vehicles,” the official told the local media outlet.
The Regional Transport Authority’s (RTA) Secretary Arshad Ali said that they are bound by the policy of the Punjab government. He added that an alternative policy is also being formulated by the provincial government to abolish motorcycle rickshaws, and ‘its implementation will be started as soon as the policy.’
So far, the district administration has been unable to locate any motorcycle rickshaw units. However, action will continue until all such units are sealed as per the directives of the government.
Initially, the focus will be on eliminating unregistered rickshaws used for commercial purposes, with plans to expand the scope of action to include other motorcycle rickshaws, encompassing both transport and loading variants.
this a typical third world country approach…..banning is easy….How about providing means to those who will loose their livelyhood, come up with alternate means of tronsport for millions of poor people who use this as a means of transport
It is true that these rickshaw drivers are driving wildly but what about their jobs how can you ban them like this….
Totally agree with you. But do you think that Baaabus in government and Military officers who are making policies will understand that.?. Chingchis are already banned in DHA, Askari and army controlled regions. These duffers are now extending the ban.
Also top government and Army officers have luxury cars. They have never traveled with poor to understand their plight.
Ask these grade 21, 22 officers and their Army handlers in DHA and Askari schemes ,that poor people cannot afford cars and there are no government buses around. Chingchi is the only form of transport for many poor people. It is employing thousands of people as well.
So these Mughal emperors of Pakistan should come out of their Luxury socieities to understand ordinary Pakistanis.
So what options these jobless Chingchi owners will have after 30 days?. Become a cleaner or a driver In rich people homes?, or maybe join a TTP or any other militant organisation?.
Yes…right act of Govt…hopefully these drivers have not families to feed ….they have no right to live..reallyyy……hang them all ….
What about the massive unemployment this will cause. A large number of people are employed in driving these rickshaws. And what about the masses who are not very well off and use these rickshaws for transport as the fares are cheaper than other forms of transport ?
Electric vehicle should be introduced as alternative.