Pakistan’s roads turned deadly this week with two separate crashes in Balochistan and Punjab provinces leaving 23 dead and dozens injured, fueling urgent debates on speeding, foggy conditions, and transport safety.

The Balochistan mishap unfolded on the Makran Coastal Highway near Ormara’s Hud Goth area. A Jiwani-bound coach operated by Al Usman private transport company somersaulted, claiming nine lives and injuring 36. Police investigations reveal the driver was overtaking recklessly at high speed, leading to loss of control.

SP Aslam Bangulzai confirmed the initial findings, noting rescue personnel airlifted critical patients to Ormara Tehsil Hospital. Hospital sources warn that the injury severity could push fatalities higher. Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti mourned the loss, instructing immediate medical aid and dignified repatriation of remains.

Shifting to Punjab, dense fog played villain in Sargodha’s Kot Momin. A mini-truck en route from Islamabad to a Faisalabad funeral ceremony missed the road and tumbled into a dry canal near Ghalapur Bangla. Of the 23 aboard, 14 lost their lives – seven at the scene, seven in hospital.

The group, including families with women and kids, opted for a local route after fog shut motorways. Rescue teams mounted a rapid response, but the toll underscores fog’s lethal risks. Officials are reiterating pleas for caution in adverse weather and rigorous safety compliance.

As families grieve, these incidents expose deep flaws in Pakistan’s road infrastructure and driver training. Enhanced policing, weather advisories, and vehicle standards are now imperative to avert future catastrophes.