In a notable administrative development, senior police officer Pir Muhammad Shah has been reappointed as DIG Traffic Karachi, just weeks after being removed from the same position.
An official notification has been issued confirming the appointment of the Grade 20 officer as DIG Traffic Karachi. According to the announcement, the additional charge of DIG Traffic Karachi previously assigned to Mazhar Nawaz Sheikh has been withdrawn.
Last month, Pir Muhammad Shah was removed from his post and replaced by Mazhar Nawaz Sheikh, who was given the responsibility of overseeing traffic management in Karachi. However, the latest notification restores Pir Muhammad Shah to his former role, signaling a reversal of the earlier decision.
Sources had indicated that Pir Muhammad Shah’s removal followed criticism over traffic management in the aftermath of the tragic Gul Plaza incident. The Gul Plaza fire resulted in the deaths of 79 people, while more than 1,000 shops were reportedly destroyed in the blaze. The incident raised serious concerns about emergency response coordination, congestion management, and overall urban planning in the affected area.
Following the tragedy, questions were reportedly raised regarding traffic control arrangements, which are considered critical in facilitating emergency operations during major incidents. It was in this context that Pir Muhammad Shah was removed from his position, according to official sources.
The decision to reappoint him suggests either a review of the earlier administrative action or a reassessment of responsibilities within the police department. While no detailed explanation has been provided in the latest notification, such reappointments often reflect internal evaluations, shifting priorities, or administrative restructuring within the provincial government.
Karachi, being Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, faces chronic traffic challenges due to rapid urbanization, increasing vehicle numbers, infrastructure limitations, and enforcement issues. The role of DIG Traffic is therefore highly significant, involving not only routine traffic management but also coordination during emergencies, public events, and crisis situations.
The Gul Plaza fire remains one of the city’s most devastating commercial building disasters in recent years. Beyond the tragic loss of lives, it also exposed vulnerabilities in building safety regulations, fire response systems, and urban emergency preparedness.
