ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced a strict zero-tolerance policy for over-speeding and axle load violations on all national highways and motorways. This initiative aims to reduce road accidents and enhance safety standards across Pakistan's motorways. During his visit to the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) headquarters, he instructed that no leniency should be shown towards violators of traffic laws, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safer roads for all motorists.
The minister also mandated that all commercial vehicles obtain fitness certificates within the next three months, as part of an extensive overhaul of vehicle safety regulations. He further directed that special training programs be implemented for drivers of commercial vehicles to promote safe driving practices and reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by human error. These programs will focus on educating drivers about the importance of adhering to speed limits, proper loading practices, and maintaining vehicle safety standards.
One of the key directives issued by Abdul Aleem Khan is the restriction on vehicles older than 20 years from operating on motorways. He emphasized that such vehicles should not be permitted to use motorways due to their potential to cause accidents. In line with this, separate certifications for tires of older vehicles will also be introduced, as tire failure is often a significant factor in accidents. He called on the Inspector General (IG) of Motorway Police to develop a comprehensive and enforceable policy regarding the certification and usage of older vehicles on national highways and motorways.
During the meeting, the Federal Minister also addressed the recurring problem of accidents at the same locations on motorways. He noted that the registration of FIRs for over-speeding violations had already shown positive results, and such practices would continue. He reiterated that the primary concern of the Motorway Police is to protect human lives and improve upon their already commendable performance in maintaining road safety.
The IG Motorway Police briefed the minister on the latest achievements, including the registration of 53 FIRs for the theft of safety barriers. He also highlighted that 36 individuals had been arrested, and over 2,000 meters of stolen fencing had been recovered. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the infrastructure and ensure that road safety barriers are not tampered with.
Upon his arrival at the Motorway Police Headquarters, Abdul Aleem Khan was presented with a guard of honor and received by the Federal Secretary for Communications, the IG Motorway Police, and senior officers. The minister also laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs' Memorial in honor of the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The minister paid tribute to the sacrifice of the Motorway Police officers, offering prayers for the souls of Inspector Mansoor Asghar and other officers who were martyred in recent incidents.
Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan also visited the Motorway Police Control Room, where he was briefed on how complaints are handled via the helpline and how they are swiftly resolved. He encouraged the Motorway Police to enhance their presence on social media platforms to better engage with the public and raise awareness about road safety issues. Additionally, he proposed the installation of dedicated "shoulders" along various motorway sections to allow vehicles to safely stop during emergencies, further improving road safety measures.
In conclusion, Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized that improving road safety is a collective effort that requires strict enforcement of traffic laws, improved driver training, and the continuous upgrading of infrastructure. With these new initiatives, the government aims to make Pakistan’s highways and motorways safer for everyone.
