Pakistani actress Ayesha Omar has raised concerns over what she described as a widespread presence of underage drivers on Sindh’s roads, questioning the level of traffic enforcement and police monitoring on the Karachi-Hyderabad highway.
The actress spoke out after coming across a viral video showing a minor allegedly driving a vehicle on a public road. While describing the incident as shocking and unacceptable, Ayesha said the problem appeared to be much broader than a single video.
In an Instagram story, she shared her own experience from the previous day, claiming that she had seen numerous children and teenagers driving vehicles while traveling along the Karachi-Hyderabad route.
Ayesha said she encountered at least two dozen youngsters who appeared to be around 13 or 14 years old, along with others who were slightly older or younger. She also claimed that many young teenagers were riding motorcycles on the highway.
The actress described the situation as widespread and alleged that hundreds of young people could be traveling on the road despite being underage.
Her main concern appeared to be the lack of visible enforcement. Ayesha claimed that the highway had remained heavily congested for hours, yet she did not see sufficient police presence or patrols checking motorists.
“On the highway. No one to check them,” she wrote while highlighting the issue.
Ayesha also questioned the responsibility of provincial authorities in addressing road safety and preventing minors from operating vehicles. She asked what the Sindh government was doing to tackle the situation and ensure that traffic rules were being followed.
The actress’s comments have brought renewed attention to the issue of underage driving in Pakistan. Children and young teenagers operating cars or motorcycles on public roads can face significant risks because they may lack the training, experience and legal authorization required to drive safely.
Underage driving can also place other road users at risk, particularly on busy highways where vehicles travel at higher speeds and traffic conditions can change quickly.
The situation raises questions not only about enforcement but also about parental and guardian responsibility. Allowing children to drive vehicles before reaching the legally permitted age can have serious consequences for both the young driver and members of the public.
Ayesha’s remarks also highlight the importance of regular traffic patrols on major routes. Visible enforcement can help discourage violations and ensure that motorists comply with licensing and road safety requirements.
The Karachi-Hyderabad route is an important transportation corridor connecting major population centers in Sindh. Heavy traffic on the highway makes responsible driving and effective enforcement particularly important.
While Ayesha’s observations represent her personal account of what she saw during her journey, her comments have contributed to a broader conversation about road safety and underage driving.
The issue ultimately requires attention from multiple sides, including traffic authorities, police, parents and communities. Consistent enforcement combined with greater awareness about the dangers of underage driving could help reduce the risks faced by young people and other road users.
