07 March 2005	Monday	25 Muharram 1426

LAHORE, March 6: Chaudhry Shujaat Husain, the ruling PML president, on Sunday came up with an easy solution for those unwilling to wear a helmet for medical reasons or just because it irritates them.

At a news conference here, he said turban could be a good substitute to helmet, whose prices have gone beyond the reach of motorcyclists and control of the government.

What was available for a couple of hundred rupees in the market until recently is being sold for up to Rs 1,500 these days. And the shopkeepers and traffic police are forcing the motorcyclists to dig deeper in their pockets.

He said the primary objective of the 'wear-helmet' order was to ensure the safety of those travelling on two-wheelers in case they met with an accident. And if they were unable to buy a helmet, they should have the permission to use turban as an alternative, he suggested. He said he would discuss his proposal with the chief minister.

Punjab is the only province where this safety measure has been imposed. Thousands of people have been fined since March 1 for not wearing helmet.