LAHORE: Authorities in Lahore have decided to launch a comprehensive crackdown on commercial vehicle operations, ordering mandatory criminal record and driving history checks for all public service and commercial drivers across the city.
The decision was taken following a high-level meeting chaired by City Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi who emphasized that road safety will no longer be compromised.
Under the new directive, transport unions are prohibited from assigning vehicles to any driver without a valid character certificate and a clean driving record.
Drivers with histories of criminal involvement or repeated accidents will be barred from operating commercial vehicles.
SP Headquarters Fakhar Bashir Raja has been tasked with investigating root causes of accidents and formulating preventive measures.
Alarming statistics underscore the urgency of the initiative: while commercial vehicles account for approximately five percent of Lahore’s registered vehicles, they are responsible for 48 percent of fatal accidents in the city.
Accountability for Owners and Violators
CTO Shirazi made clear that vehicle owners who knowingly assign vehicles to irresponsible drivers will face legal action. Both drivers responsible for accidents and those who facilitate their operation will be held accountable, he stated.
The authorities have also initiated a verification drive of all commercial and public service vehicle licenses, with particular focus on detecting forged or welded licenses. Strict penalties await violators.
“There is no room for compromise on road safety,” the CTO declared, stressing that a zero-tolerance policy must be adopted across all transport operations.
