پاکستان میں پبلک ٹرانسپورٹ کا نظام؛ درپیش مسائل اور مقا صد شریعہ سے رہنمائی

PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN PAKISTAN: CURRENT CHALLENGES AND GUIDANCE FROM MAQASID AL-SHARIAH

Abstract

Pakistan’s public transportation system is marred by inefficiency, exploitation, and safety hazards, disproportionately affecting students, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. This study examines systemic issues—fare exploitation, harassment, reckless driving, and inadequate accessibility—through a Sharīʿah-based lens, arguing that these violations contradict the Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (Objectives of Islamic Law), particularly the preservation of life (Ḥifẓ al-Nafs), dignity (Ḥifẓ al-ʿIrd), and social justice (ʿAdl).Empirical evidence, including victim testimonies, reveals dire realities: female passengers face sexual harassment, students are denied fare concessions, and fatal accidents occur due to negligence. The absence of disability infrastructure and abuse of the elderly further highlight institutional failures.The study proposes actionable reforms grounded in Islamic ethics: mandatory ethics training for transport staff, fare subsidies for students, gender-sensitive measures (e.g., CCTV surveillance, female staff), and disability-friendly vehicles. Policy recommendations include stricter speed enforcement near schools and complaint redressal mechanisms. By aligning transport governance with Qur’anic principles (e.g., 16:90) and prophetic injunctions on public welfare, Pakistan can foster an equitable, safe, and dignified transit system.