Traffic and Transport Issues Persist in Quetta; Balochistan High Court Expresses Concern Over ‘Paper Reports’
QUETTA – September 7, 2026: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has expressed deep concern over the persistent traffic and public transport problems in Quetta, criticizing relevant departments for submitting mere “paper reports” instead of implementing court orders.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Malakhail and Justice Muhammad Najmuddin Mengal heard a constitutional petition regarding public transport, local buses, rickshaws, and traffic issues in Quetta city.
During the proceedings, Additional Advocate General Zahoor Baloch, Director Administration Balochistan Traffic Engineering Bureau Shakil Ahmed, petitioner’s counsel Advocate Inam Khair, Municipal Corporation Quetta’s lawyer Azhar-ul-Haq Tareen, Quetta Development Authority (QDA) lawyer Muhammad Akram Shah, DG QDA Aurangzeb Kasi, Deputy Director (Laws & Regulations) of Urban Planning and Development Department Kaleemullah, and other relevant officials appeared before the court.
Progress Report Presented
The Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Quetta Division submitted a progress report, informing the court about several initiatives:
Provision of 27 electric vehicles for feeder routes in Quetta
Allocation of 2 electric buses for Quetta and 10 diesel buses for other districts
Public transport scheme for lawyers
Land transfer for a local bus stand on Sariab Road
Issuance of coaster permits for the Quetta-Kuchlak route
Action against illegal and excess rickshaws
Computerization of 9,451 manual rickshaw permits
Bar Association Raises Objections
President of the High Court Bar Association, Advocate Attaullah Longo, drew the court’s attention to the continued operation of local buses on Quetta’s main and feeder routes despite previous court directives.
“The local buses are still plying on Quetta’s routes, which constitutes a clear violation of court orders,” Longo stated.
He also highlighted that under the public transport scheme for lawyers from Quetta, Pishin, and Khuzdar, 2 diesel buses, 2 pink vans, 2 electric shuttle carts, and 100 pink electric scooties had been allocated. However, satisfactory progress on the project has not been achieved.
When the court inquired, officials confirmed that 100 pink electric scooties with helmets designated for female lawyers had been received, but practical steps regarding other transport facilities for lawyers remained incomplete.
Land Transfer Issue Hinders Progress
Additional Advocate General informed the court that the land designated for a local bus stand at the old Akhtari Godown on Sariab Road has yet to be transferred to the Commissioner/Chairman Regional Transport Authority and Secretary RTA, preventing practical work on the project.
Electric Vehicles Project
Director Administration Balochistan Traffic Engineering Bureau Shakil Ahmed told the court that the project for providing electric vehicles as an alternative to motor rickshaws in Quetta was included in the current fiscal year’s PSDP with an initial allocation of Rs. 1 billion 235.300 million.
However, following court observations, the project was assigned to the Public-Private Partnership Authority and revised, reducing the cost to Rs. 595.720 million. The proposal is currently under consideration by the Planning and Development Department for final approval.
Court’s Observations and Directives
The petitioner personally appeared before the court and expressed serious concerns, arguing that despite clear court directives, traffic conditions in Quetta and its suburbs have not significantly improved, and government departments are merely presenting reports instead of taking practical action.
Expressing concern over the situation, the court directed the Additional Advocate General to submit comprehensive reports signed by the Secretary of the Transport Department on the following matters at the next hearing:
Status of land transfer for the local bus stand to RTA
Provision of electric vehicles as an alternative to motor rickshaws and current project status
Approval and practical progress on the public transport facility for lawyers
The court further directed the RTA Secretary to submit a detailed report regarding the operation of old and unfit buses in any area of Quetta city.
Next Hearing
The court ordered relevant officers from the Planning and Development Department, Regional Transport Authority, and Balochistan Traffic Engineering Bureau to appear personally at the next hearing.
The hearing was adjourned until September 8, 2026. The court also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Additional Advocate General’s office to ensure compliance with court directives.
