Sardar M. Humayun Khan
Joint Secretary (Punjab),
Executive Board Member,
Association of Road Users of Pakistan 

I see wide, well-paved roads with a steady stream of orderly traffic moving at an unimpeded speed in both directions. I see well-marked lanes separating the fast moving traffic from the slower two wheelers. I see public transport moving at a safe speed on the left lane and stopping at dedicated bus stops. I see drivers obeying the traffic lights at the major road junctions with no policeman in sight. I see meaningful road signs to help guide me to my destination and when I get there I easily find parking space for my vehicle.

These images are a sincere desire to see my country rid of the harmful and dangerous environment existing on its roads. We are all so well aware of the problems and difficulties that confront us each time we use the road system. The tension and frustration are not only limited to the poor quality of the road surface but also due to the disregard of traffic rules by road users which makes it so unsafe for each and everyone of us. The heavy fumes and the loud noise that are serious pollutants on the city roadways are yet another cause for concern.

The problems are many and are daunting. I am most concerned and disturbed, as I am sure so are you, that the situation is deteriorating instead of getting any better. This scenario is indeed frightening. I, as any private individual have two alternatives - either to accept the present situation quietly and let my family and I continue taking our chances in the deteriorating conditions or to take on the challenge and make every effort to try and bring about an improvement. I am no specialist on the complicated art of traffic management but just a road user! It is my profound desire, as a citizen, to see that the problems and difficulties existing on our roads are removed. With this in mind I joined the Association of Road Users of Pakistan, as one of the founding members, which was established in October 1998. It may be pertinent to give a brief background of this NGO, a non-profit organization, which was encouraged and sponsored by the World Bank in collaboration with the National Highway Authority.

As we all know the poor maintenance of the road system is an acute problem in our country. The road surface deteriorates quickly due to sub-standard construction and improper use of the network through the overloading of vehicles. We should not be surprised but a large number of countries in the world have problems similar to ours. In order to address the critical situation the World Bank took the initiative over 40 years ago to provide assistance to the countries adversely affected. It became apparent from the on set that one of the main reasons for the continuation of these problems was the lack of involvement of the users in the various stages of road development projects. While road users are required to contribute substantially towards the cost of maintaining roads they are excluded from its planning, decision making, management, and implementation.

The World Bank already has in place National Highway Improvement Programmes and has established a Highway Maintenance Fund in over 40 countries around the globe. In Pakistan it was only recently that the National Highway Authority with the assistance of the World Bank has launched this programme to try and address the pressing issues of road maintenance together with safety.

The object of the Highway Maintenance Fund is to generate sufficient money to be exclusively used for the maintenance of existing roads. The unique nature of this proposal is to control, manage and disburse funds through a transparent procedure where road user participation is guaranteed. In fact, in almost all countries where this program is operating the Chairman of the Road Maintenance Fund is from the private sector. In principal the Government of Pakistan has accepted the establishment of the Road Maintenance Fund to be managed by 5 members from the private sector and 4 from the public sector.

In this context I would like to emphasize the need to give due attention to the poor safety conditions existing on our roads. The high rate of accidents and the large number of fatalities resulting from these accidents is causing too much pain and sorrow. It is unfortunate, that one of the main reasons for the high rate of accidents is the disregard of the road user to observe the rules and the lack of respect for the right of way of his fellow road user, whether a motorist or a pedestrian. I strongly believe that the citizens and the authorities responsible for traffic management must make a collective and concerted effort to correct the situation throughout the country. The Citizen and Police Liaison Committee established in Karachi almost 20 years ago, is working well. With innovative style and bold initiatives this arrangement has achieved commendable results. It would therefore, be logical that similar liaison committees could be introduced in other major cities in the country, where the road safety becomes a part of its agenda.

I repeat myself that the problems are well known and cover a wide spectrum. Efforts have been made in the past to improve the situation but it is most unfortunate that conditions have deteriorated further. In the past local and foreign experts and consultants have analyzed the conditions on the ground and have written a number of relevant reports how to correct the problems but for whatever reasons not much has been achieved so far. I would certainly not wish to see this present opportunity go down the same track. We unfortunately, seem to have a record of coming up with sound proposals but we flounder when we get to the implementation stage. This has happened so many times in so many other projects. I do not wish to sound pessimistic but we should guard ourselves against such an eventuality.  

I am heartened to know that from the initial handful of members who joined ARUP in 1998 we have come a long way with over a thousand members in addition to over two dozen corporate members including PSO, PIA, Volvo Pakistan, Hinopak, to name a few. While I would have liked to see a lot more citizens join this noble cause, I am most optimistic that with the continued and determined efforts of all concerned many more will be motivated to become active members.

The success of this programme can be assured only if road users and stakeholders jointly participate with the government and the organisations involved in policy making, implementation and management related to the network of roads under the federal and provincial agencies. Prominent citizens, large and medium size business concerns, responsible NGOs, transport associations and in fact, any road user willing to participate for the betterment of our roads would be welcomed. Lady participants, who have so much influence at home, especially with the younger generation, must be given special consideration to become a part of this crusade.

Education and enforcement of traffic rules are necessary but it would be so much easier if all road users shoulder their responsibilities in a befitting manner. It is in the interest of all concerned to ensure that a healthy environment exists on the network of roads in our cities and highways not only by enforcing but also by willingly regulating ourselves to be responsible users of the road system. We seem to over look the most obvious condition for achieving success and that is by correcting and regulating ourselves. We go to great lengths in correcting others but we tend to ignore correcting ourselves first.

The negative attitude of the public towards responsible usage of the road network, in my personal opinion, is one of the main reasons for the sorry state of affairs. Should we let this unfortunate and unnecessary state continue without doing anything about it? I sincerely hope not. I hope that we are seriously determined to start the long process of turning the tide.

I would like to highlight one single element, which in my view is the winning equation in overcoming most of the problems experienced on our roads. It is seems to be the most difficult item to tackle but once obtained it would be the most effective tool of all available to us – and that is to bring about a positive change in the present ATTITUDE of the road user.

It is easier said than done. How are we going to do this ? It will require a long and concerted effort. Besides the use of educational institutions we have a powerful media available to us, which unfortunately, is not being effectively used. The TV is present in almost every home. A professional media manager would be able to chalk out an effective programme but it is important that besides the direct approach of showing commercials and talk shows etc. a subtler approach would be more effective in the long run. The message of improving road conditions and safety could be got across through plays and dramas. I can give the example of Brazil, which ran a TV campaign for over 30 years about family planning. In this campaign they made use of playwrights and dramatists to depict the hero or heroine as the person with small families. They highlighted the virtues of a small family and the theme of these plays emphasizes that good and successful persons come from such small families. This indirect approach took a long time to achieve its results but it eventually did.

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