ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has banned the entry of tout mafia in the premises of its driving licence office.

A statement issued by the ITP said, “The traffic chief strictly banned all dubious peoples’ entry in the office who allegedly involve in some illegal activities in driving licensing procedure. This step has enhanced merit and transparency in licensing mechanism.”

The tout mafia has been active in almost every public service office in the capital. They charge heavy fee from citizens in the disguise of filling up forms, making appointments, preparation of files and extending protocol.

The statement said banning the tout mafia was one of the steps taken by the incumbent chief of ITP, Mohammad Sarfraz Virk. The ITP has introduced several reforms in a short span of six months, it added.

Say step enhances merit and transparency in licensing mechanism

“ITP has successfully managed shifting of its headquarters from a non-confirming locality of the city to a legally allotted site on Murree Road, Shakarparian.”

It may be mentioned that Islamabad High Court’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb is also hearing a petition in connection with the ITP’s strength to cope with traffic violations and other challenges.

The petitioner brought in the knowledge of the IHC in 2020 that the ITP was operating its headquarters on a greenbelt along 9th Avenue.

The statement of the ITP said the new office location was not only legally approved from all concerned civic agencies but was also easily accessible to citizens residing in urban and rural areas as well as private housing societies across the Islamabad Expressway.

The new ITP headquarters has sufficient area which includes wide car parking slot, air conditioned waiting areas, a cafeteria, mosque and lawns in addition to the offices and public facilitation centres.

The chief traffic officer introduced on-wheel service to facilitate the citizens at their doorsteps.

This service has also been extended to universities, colleges, government and semi-government departments, media houses and other institutions.

He also launched education on-wheel service. Under this service, awareness sessions about traffic rules are held at various locations of the city. Moreover, a help unit, ‘ITP Mechanic on Wheels’, has also been launched by the CTO which is first of its kind facility. Someone in need can call the helpline number 1915 for a mechanic anywhere in the federal capital.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2024