Imagine Karachiites, the most free-spirited, rule-defying kind of people, suddenly being tamed. I know, it sounds completely against our DNA.
But friends, a miracle has happened. Last week, during my monthly visit to Karachi, I witnessed something I never imagined possible: people were actually stopping at red lights. At almost every intersection. At first, I literally pinched myself. I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I was dreaming. I thought maybe this was a one-off incident. So I kept driving around and, to my shock and amazement, it was everywhere.
Finally, I turned to my driver, Akbar, and asked, “What’s going on? Are we in Karachi or Dubai?” Akbar smiled and replied, “Sir, cameras! Every traffic signal now has cameras installed in all four directions. No excuses. No warnings. No ‘setting’. If you break the law, you pay – no exceptions.” And then it struck me. So it can be done. The issue was never the people; it was enforcement.
No traffic constables waving sticks. No chaos. Just a functioning system and a law that applies equally to all. What has made this possible is the embrace of modern technology and artificial intelligence, which now automates traffic monitoring and violation detection, replacing subjective human discretion with system-driven discipline. The system captures violations, issues fines automatically, and ensures equal treatment in a transparent, fair, and tamper-proof manner. No bribes, free of corruption.
It is important to note that Sindh is only the second province after Punjab to introduce such a system. What gives Karachi’s reform a real chance to succeed is that the penalties here are significantly tougher than those applied in Lahore, which means people will think twice before breaking the law.
So today, I want to say heartiest congratulations and sincere appreciation to the government of Sindh, under the leadership of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, for demonstrating vision, courage and determination to take this extraordinary step. As Buzz Aldrin famously said when he landed on the moon, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
This initiative may look simple, but in reality, it represents a step toward discipline, a step toward patience and tolerance, a step toward a civilised, law-abiding society, a step towards technology-enabled governance, and a step toward a future-ready Pakistan where rules apply to all. If this continues, this will be a game-changer for Karachi.
Other provinces must learn from this model and apply the same innovative mindset to reshape public behaviour and build a better country. This is a golden coaching moment for our youth to build a strong value system rooted in accountability, fairness and respect for rule of law.
Karachi has proven one thing loud and clear: where there is vision, discipline is possible. Where there is transparency, the system works. And with AI, Pakistan can leapfrog into the future. Let us celebrate this moment and guard it fiercely because this is how nations are built. Stopping at a red light may appear small, almost insignificant, yet the cultural implications are profound. Traffic discipline reflects collective social order. It cultivates patience, tolerance and respect for others. If sustained, this change could mark the beginning of a new Karachi and perhaps even a new Pakistan.
For decades, Karachi’s traffic chaos was dismissed as a cultural temperament that discipline is simply not in our DNA. But the transformation I witnessed proves a far more powerful truth: behaviour is shaped by the system, not by some unchangeable trait. When the system is weak, behaviour weakens. When enforcement is transparent and equal, discipline follows. The Karachi traffic enforcement system now uses AI-powered cameras that monitor every angle, automatically detect violations and issue fines without human interference. There is no policeman to negotiate with. The system is stronger than influence – and that is the real revolution.
This change represents something far greater than traffic improvement. It symbolises respect for rule of law, equality of treatment, and a shift from fear-based policing to technology-based accountability, the emergence of modern governance. If this reform endures, it will save lives, reduce accidents, restore faith in governance and teach our youth that respect for law is not optional but essential. But now comes the real test: will we preserve and protect this change?
Systems in Pakistan often start boldly but fade due to pressure or fatigue. If we let this reform erode, we confirm the belief that progress here is temporary. But if the government stays firm and citizens embrace ownership, Karachi’s transformation may become a blueprint for the nation.
Other provinces should learn from this model. Pakistan’s future depends not only on economics and politics but on behavioural transformation driven by consistent governance, technology and fairness. Karachi has proven one thing: where there is will, discipline is possible. Where there is integrity, the system works. With AI and enforcement, Pakistan can rise.
Friends, this is not just about traffic. This is about building a society based on fairness, respect and accountability. This is about breaking decades of excuses and creating a future we can all be proud of. So let’s celebrate this miracle.
The writer is a former global corporate executive (Unilever, PepsiCo, Yum! Brands), a mental health advocate and a founding board member of Taskeen, a pioneering organisation focused on emotional well-being in Pakistan.
