ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that citizens should not face immediate cases or arrests for driving without a licence. Instead, first-time offenders should be warned and fined.
Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the ruling while hearing a petition filed by a citizen challenging the Chief Traffic Officer’s (CTO) directive. The directive had warned that vehicles would be seized and arrests made after a set deadline for those driving without a valid licence.
The court observed that while driving without a licence is a violation, harsh actions like arrests or vehicle seizures cannot be taken without proper legal procedure. The chief justice said that such offences could lead to cases only in situations like road accidents.
The petitioner argued that the CTO’s directive was unconstitutional, as no such law had been approved by Parliament or the Cabinet.
Appearing in court, CTO Captain (retd) Hamza Humayun clarified that no cases had yet been registered against drivers for not having licences.
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Chief Justice Dogar expressed concern over the lack of awareness about driving licences, noting that even after more than 70 years of Pakistan’s independence, many drivers still do not hold valid licences.
He also proposed developing a digital verification system, similar to NADRA’s app, to help verify driving licences and other documents online. This, he said, would make the process more efficient and transparent.
In its final order, the court said first-time violators should only receive a warning and fine, while repeat offenders could face stricter action. The judge added that while mistakes can happen, the law must be applied fairly and consistently.
The court dismissed the petition with these directions, saying the ruling aimed to maintain a fair balance between enforcement and citizens’ rights.
