LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has made a landmark decision to issue smart cards and motorcycle driving licenses to children aged 16. She has also ordered that minors should not be arrested for traffic violations.
The Chief Minister expressed strong disapproval of handcuffing children for breaking traffic rules. Under the new plan, first-time offenses like not wearing a helmet will result in a warning rather than a fine.
Traffic police across Punjab will launch awareness campaigns for the public, especially students, with the use of drones and body cameras for the first time to monitor traffic.
Chief Justice of Lahore High Court, Alia Neelum, had earlier intervened to stop arrests of underage drivers, calling for awareness campaigns and warnings before any legal action.
She said that repeated violations should be dealt with according to the law.
CM Maryam Nawaz stressed that parents should play a key role in teaching children road safety. “We don’t want to punish innocent children, but following the law is important. It’s parents’ duty to instill the habit of wearing helmets and observing traffic rules,” she said.
She further instructed the traffic police to treat citizens with respect, avoiding misconduct or rude behavior while enforcing the law.
The move is seen as a step to strike a balance between road safety and protecting minors from unnecessary harassment, encouraging responsible habits from a young age.
