RAWALPINDI: The city traffic police have started a campaign against vehicles without number plates and having unauthorised revolving lights and tinted glasses.

In a related development, the traffic police during the checking of vehicles at the T&T Chowk on the Mall recovered two Kalashnikovs from a double-cabin driven by a young man who turned out to be the son of a senior army officer.

He was later handed over to the Cantonment police for further investigation. However, the police released him.

“The man was released after a complete verification of his licence,” said the police investigating officer.

It may be noted that the home department imposed a ban on the display and carrying of arms during Muharram. Since the government lifted the moratorium on executions, the inspector general of police (IGP), Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, ordered a campaign against vehicles without number plates and having tinted glasses. The IGP also said that vehicles of even judges should also be checked.

He said in the past there had been incidents in which vehicles belonging to law enforcement agencies, government departments and judges were stolen or snatched by terror elements.

City Traffic Officer Shoaib Khuram Janbaz told Dawn that the checking of vehicles started on Sunday night and so far the documents of 45 vehicles belonging to law enforcement agencies, government departments and three ambulances were verified.

He said 186 vehicles without number plates and 58 with tinted glasses were fined. He confirmed that two Kalashnikovs were recovered from a vehicle and later the case was referred to the Cantonment police.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2014