By Sardar Khan Niazi
More than 75 million people live in Pakistan’s cities, a dynamic mosaic of cultural, social, and economic activity. Cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta are hubs of opportunity, but they are also scenes of daily struggle–none more visibly than in the realm of public transport. The sheer dysfunction of urban transit systems in Pakistan is not just a source of daily inconvenience; it is a structural failure with far-reaching consequences for equity, environment, and economic growth. In most Pakistani cities, what passes for public transport is a chaotic mix of outdated buses, unregulated vans, rickshaws, and now ride-hailing apps. Government-led services such as the Metro Bus systems in Lahore and Islamabad serve only a limited portion of the population. The rest sail across deteriorating private fleets, arbitrary fare hikes, and dangerously overcrowded vehicles. This breakdown in infrastructure affects everyone–but it disproportionately affects the vulnerable. Women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities endure unsafe and degrading conditions. Harassment is rampant, reserved seating is unenforced, and facilities like ramps or secure stops are rare. The absence of inclusive planning locks many women out of the workforce and education, deepening gender inequality. Beyond human dignity, inefficiency defines the system. Buses run on irregular schedules with no centralized command system. For the urban middle class, this unpredictability pushes them into private vehicles, worsening traffic and smog. The environmental cost is staggering. In cities like Karachi and Lahore, air quality is ranked among the worst in the world. Ancient diesel engines in public vehicles spew pollutants, while the growing number of motorbikes and cars adds to the carbon burden. Economically, the impact is corrosive. Long commutes and traffic delays eat into productivity. Daily wage earners spend a large share of their income on unreliable transport, limiting savings and opportunities. Poor connectivity between residential areas and commercial zones also weakens labor mobility and increases costs for businesses. What lies at the root of this dysfunction? A lack of political will and institutional coordination. Urban transport planning is fragmented across agencies with overlapping jurisdictions and minimal cooperation. Projects are often driven by optics rather than utility–Metro Buses have political appeal, but they leave vast urban sprawls underserved. Meanwhile, ride-hailing apps like Careem or inDriver have grown in popularity but remain unaffordable for many. The need for a comprehensive overhaul is urgent. First, cities must invest in integrated, multimodal systems that combine rail, bus, pedestrian, and cycling infrastructure. Planning must prioritize universal accessibility, not just for the able-bodied commuter. Second, transitioning to cleaner fuels and electric buses should be incentivized with subsidies and private sector partnerships. Pakistan must not miss the global shift to greener transit. Public transport must also be made gender-sensitive. Dedicated spaces, surveillance cameras, trained staff, and public awareness campaigns are essential to make commuting safer for women. Regulation is another critical area. Vehicle inspections, fare regulation, driver licensing, and the adoption of digital technologies such as fare cards and real-time tracking can dramatically improve service delivery. Financing remains a hurdle, but Public-Private Partnerships offer a viable path forward. Shared financial risks and professional management can create better services. Importantly, local governments need to build technical and managerial capacity to design, run, and oversee these systems. Community involvement through surveys and public hearings can ensure the system reflects real needs. Urban Pakistan is at a crossroads. Our cities cannot thrive if their arteries–public transportation–remain clogged, chaotic, and exclusionary. Reform is difficult, yes. However, the cost of inaction is higher. Cleaner air, equitable access, economic opportunity, and human dignity depend on it. Let this be the decade where Pakistan finally reimagines how its citizens move.