photo: lahore high court
The Lahore High Court has issued orders for the immediate arrest of underage and unlicensed drivers of vehicles and motorcycles within the city.
During a hearing at the Lahore High Court concerning a petition related to the inclusion of murder charges in a car accident resulting in the death of six family members, Justice Ali Zia Bajwa presided over the case. The court questioned the offense of driving without a license, summoning the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations promptly.
The court directed the immediate apprehension of drivers found operating vehicles or motorcycles without proper licenses. The CTO Lahore disclosed that among the 7.3 lakh vehicles on the roads, only 1.3 lakh possess licenses, a significant disparity that raised the court’s concern. The CTO mentioned an increase in license centers from 6 to 30 to address this issue.
Furthermore, the court emphasized the need to involve the Excise Department, highlighting that vehicles lacking licenses should not be registered with them. The court also commented on the prevalence of these violations in affluent areas and questioned the accountability of parents allowing their children to use vehicles unlawfully.
The petitioner’s counsel raised objections to the arrest and application of Section 302, suggesting that a two-judge bench should review cases invoking 780 A. The court stressed the urgency of apprehending those riding motorcycles without licenses, mandating immediate action against underage drivers and unlicensed motorcyclists.
The petitioner sought protection of their rights, alleging an illegal imposition of Section 302 and a media trial. The court considered making the caretaker Chief Minister, CCPO Lahore, and others parties in the case, aiming to ensure the protection of the petitioner’s fundamental rights.
