Major Highway Tragedy in Pakistan | 24 Dead | Over 20 Injured
Pakistan highway accident news has taken a tragic turn as multiple fatal collisions rocked highways in both Punjab and Balochistan on Saturday, leaving at least 24 people dead and more than 20 injured. These incidents have reignited concerns over road safety, dense winter fog, and the urgency for stronger traffic enforcement nationwide.
Deadly Truck Crash in Sargodha
In Punjab’s Sargodha district, a heavily loaded truck carrying cargo and passengers plunged into a dry canal near the Galapur Bangla bridge in the early morning hours. According to officials, 14 people were killed, including six children, and nine others were injured in the Sargodha crash.
Rescue 1122 representatives said the accident happened amid thick fog and poor visibility, forcing the truck to divert off the closed motorway onto a local road. While navigating the lesser route, the vehicle lost control and toppled into the canal.
Fog-related challenges are common in winter months across northern Pakistan. In recent days, motorways including the M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, and M-11 were temporarily closed due to extreme low visibility.
Passenger Coach Overturns in Balochistan
Simultaneously in Balochistan’s Makran Coastal Highway near Gwadar’s Ormara, a passenger coach overturned, taking the lives of 10 people and injuring over a dozen others.
Police and emergency responders reported that the coach was traveling toward Jiwani from Karachi when the driver lost control. The overturning happened close to Hudd Goth, a remote stretch prone to sudden weather shifts and narrow road conditions.
Passengers included laborers and families returning from Karachi — a routine but perilous journey under winter conditions. Many of the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for immediate medical care. (Dawn)
Hazardous Winter Conditions
The twin accidents reflect broader concerns about Pakistan’s highway safety challenges, particularly during cold seasons when fog can reduce visibility to near-zero. According to road safety experts, such conditions increase the likelihood of crashes, especially on rural and coastal highways where lighting and signage remain inadequate.
Just two days prior, a separate report from Punjab’s Sahiwal district noted that three people died and six were injured in fog-related collisions on other major roadways.
Authorities have urged drivers to avoid unnecessary travel during peak fog hours and to adhere strictly to speed limits and weather advisories. However, economic pressures and travel demands continue to push motorists onto unsafe roadways.
Government and Emergency Response
Local police, highway patrol units, and Rescue 1122 teams responded to both disaster sites. Officials emphasized the need for better coordination between public safety departments during large-scale emergencies.
Officials from the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) reiterated that ongoing fog closures are implemented to protect motorists — though not all drivers heed warnings in time.
Road Safety | A National Concern
Pakistan’s highway system is a critical part of national connectivity, yet road accidents remain a leading cause of fatalities annually. According to recent reports, hundreds of lives are lost every year due to collisions, rollover crashes, vehicle failures, and hazardous weather conditions. External analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that road traffic injuries are a top public health concern in South Asia — with risk factors including speeding, poor enforcement, and limited road infrastructure investment.
Why Solar Is Booming in Pakistan
Several factors are driving Pakistan solar energy growth:
- Expensive Grid Electricity – Power tariffs have reached historic highs, making monthly bills unaffordable for middle-class families.
- Abundant Sunlight – Pakistan enjoys more than 300 sunny days annually, ideal for solar generation.
- Falling Technology Costs – Prices of panels and lithium batteries have dropped worldwide.
- Net Metering Policy – Citizens can sell extra electricity back to the grid.
Energy analysts believe that if the current trend continues, Pakistan could generate more than 30% of its electricity from solar within the next decade.
Household Transformation Through Solar
In urban neighborhoods, rooftops covered with blue panels have become a common sight. A typical 5-kilowatt system can run fans, lights, refrigerators, and even small air conditioners. Families report up to 70% reduction in monthly bills.
Small shop owners are also benefiting. Tailors, mobile markets, and tuition centers that once closed during load-shedding now operate full day. This social change is one of the strongest signs of Pakistan solar energy growth.
