ISLAMABAD: After almost six years, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have begun implementing a law that requires all front seat passengers to also wear a seatbelt.

The law, which applies to both drivers and front seat passengers, was introduced in 2008, and added to the Violation Schedule XII list as Section 48(i). According to the law, violators would be fined Rs300, but the law has only ever been enforced for drivers, not passengers.

Acting Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police (SSP) Asmatullah Junejo said that ITP began implementing the law in full in October 2013 and also sent a summary to the interior ministry asking vehicle manufacturers to secure seat belts for rear seat passengers, in accordance with international practices.

ITP had initially moved to add an amendment to Section 48(i), which would have made it necessary for all passengers – including those in the backseat – to wear seat belts, but the request was turned down by the ministry.

Following a campaign, the ITP have started handing out fines to drivers whose passenger seat companions are not wearing seat belts.

Before 2008, no regulations regarding fastening seat belts existed in Pakistan and ITP were the first police force to introduce such laws.

When the law was first introduced, ITP officials discovered that several local manufacturers did not attach seat belts in some of their vehicles.

In addition, taxi drivers have also been asked to install seat belts since 2008.

Since ITP personnel are present all over the city, district administration has also given officials the authority to enforce laws that are difficult for capital police officials to implement.

The acting SSP said that ITP have been asked to take action against exposed weapons, as well as graffiti and defacement.

Such practices are already punishable under Section 144, but capital police have been unable to handle them.

According to SSP Junejo, over 60 checkpoints have been established in the capital, but no one has been apprehended with weapons until last week, when 17 individuals, including a politician and a son of the Nawab of Kalabagh, were found with exposed and illegal arms.

Weapon permits allow individuals to carry concealed weapons, but only uniformed personnel can carry them openly.

Similarly, SSP Junejo said that no action has been taken against graffiti until recently, when ITP officials apprehended two individuals in Shahzad Town.