Social activists, civil society members, and local residents of Kandhkot and its vicinity have called upon the Government of Sindh to extend the People's Bus Service to their district on the route from Sukkur to Kandhkot. The absence of an efficient transport system between Sukkur and Kandhkot has created significant challenges for daily commuters. Overcrowding, inadequate vehicle maintenance, and reckless driving not only cause discomfort but also pose serious safety risks. As a result, many individuals fail to reach their destinations on time, negatively impacting their studies, employment, and healthcare access.
Demand for Improved Public Transport
The demand highlights a pressing gap in public mobility for upper Sindh. The People's Bus Service in Sindh, launched on 28 June 2022 by the provincial government, has brought about a much-needed transformation in public transportation. Initially operating in Karachi, the initiative aimed to provide citizens with a modern, safe, and affordable travel facility. Over time, following its success in the metropolitan city, the service was expanded to other major urban centers, including Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Shikarpur. With its modern buses, regulated fares, and focus on passenger safety, the initiative has been widely appreciated by the public.
Challenges in Kashmore District
Kashmore district, despite its importance and rising population, still lacks a regulated mass transit system. Residents depend on private vans that are jam-packed, expensive, unsafe, and exorbitantly priced. Students, workers, employers, and patients face immense difficulty while traveling to Sukkur for academic, professional, and healthcare purposes. “There is no affordable and air-conditioned public transport facility for the people of Kandhkot and Kashmore district,” said Ali Hassan Malik, General Secretary of Kandhkot Press Club. He further added that overloaded vans, rash driving, and poor vehicle maintenance have led to several accidents on the highway.
A student, Abdul Samad, stated that passengers often have to wait for long hours, as private transporters usually depart only when their vehicles are fully loaded. Similarly, a local resident, Ahmed Ali, complained that the lack of a proper transport system has made daily travel highly difficult and time-consuming. Meanwhile, Tahira and Ambreen, both housewives, noted that dozens of girls enrolled in IBA, colleges, and universities are forced to miss their classes due to unsafe travelling conditions. They emphasized that the introduction of People's Buses, equipped with CCTV cameras and separate sections for women, would help ensure women's safety and protect their right to education and mobility.
Call for Equal Development
“Kandhkot is the headquarters of Kashmore district but still lacks a mass transit system; this is discrimination against the district,” said Abdullah. He questioned why Larkana, Shikarpur, and others receive the services while Kandhkot does not. Local traders also supported the demand. “Kandhkot is a major agriculture market, yet exorbitant transport costs erode trade with Sukkur Mandi,” said Arvaindar and Mohammad Yousif. They expressed hope that the government will prioritize this long-standing demand and extend modern transport facilities to Kashmore and Kandhkot, ensuring equal development across all districts of Sindh.
Finally, they urged the provincial leadership, especially Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Transport Minister Sharjeel Inaam Memon, and elected representatives, to respond to the public demand by launching the People's Bus Service on the Kandhkot-Sukkur route. The public consensus underscores that modern transport infrastructure is fundamental to socio-economic uplift.
