A head‑on collision on the Quetta‑Karachi Highway near Zero Point in Uthal has claimed 12 lives and left 22 injured, according to police reports.
Key Facts of the Crash
- Minibus and passenger coach collided head‑on on Friday.
- Coach was en route from Gwadar to Karachi; minibus headed to Karachi from Bela.
- Seven passengers died on the scene; five more died in hospital.
- About 22 passengers were hospitalized, with seven in critical condition.
- Emergency crews from the Edhi Centre in Bela transported victims to Karachi for treatment.
Road Safety in Balochistan: A Growing Concern
Uthal lies on the busy Quetta‑Karachi National Highway, a corridor that has seen a spate of fatal accidents in recent months. Earlier this year, a bus overturned near Rajanpur, and a coach collided with an LPG bowser near Kharkhera Customs. The pattern points to systemic issues such as overloaded vehicles, inadequate road signage, and limited enforcement of speed limits.
What This Means for Pakistan’s Transport Policy
The incident underscores the urgent need for stricter vehicle inspections and better driver training. Authorities may consider deploying more traffic police on key stretches and upgrading road infrastructure. In the longer term, the government could accelerate plans for dedicated bus lanes and introduce real‑time monitoring systems to reduce head‑on collisions.