WEB DESK: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has disposed of a petition concerning arrests for driving without a licence, issuing specific instructions on the matter.
IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar directed that no immediate criminal case should be registered against citizens found driving without a licence. Instead, such individuals should first be fined for failing to produce a valid licence.
He observed that while cases can be registered for negligent or reckless driving, driving without a licence could lead to a charge under Section 302 (murder) in the event of a fatal accident.
Questioning the authorities, he remarked, “How long has it been since Pakistan was founded? Over 70 years, and people still don’t realise they need a licence? If you have one, simply show a copy.”
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During the hearing, the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) informed the court that new security features had been added to prevent tampering with licences and that no FIRs had been registered against citizens merely for not possessing one.
The court noted that NADRA’s mobile app now allows verification of identity cards and other documents online. The CTO added that efforts were underway to link and digitise this process with NADRA.
Justice Dogar stressed that registering cases against those without licences would stigmatise them and add their names to the criminal record. “Issue fines first — that will create a record. If the offence is repeated, then take stricter action,” he concluded.