ISLAMABAD: National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) issued 13.3 million tickets and collected Rs15.4 billion in fine from January to November 2024, NHMP Inspector General Salman Choudhry informed a parliamentary committee on Monday.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications met at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of committee chairman Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani.

Under the Axle Load Control Regime, fines rose by 133pc to Rs4.26 billion. Over 1.6 million commuters received assistance during this period.

NHMP’s Drivers Licensing Authority (DLA), following international standards, issued over 144,000 licences since 2014.

Modern initiatives like e-ticketing, cashless systems and vehicle tracking are transforming operations to ensure safer and more efficient travel for all road users.

The committee members appreciated the work of the motorway police.

The IG also informed the committee that the NHMP had 15,607 sanctioned positions whereas 9,098 officers were currently serving.

He told the committee that the NHMP oversaw traffic regulation, safety and security across 4,736km of motorways and national highways, including key routes like M-1, M-2, M-5, N-5, and N-25.

Established in 1997, NHMP enforces laws under the National Highway Safety Ordinance (NHSO) 2000, focusing on commuter assistance, traffic management and Axle load control.

Meanwhile, the director general Pakistan Post briefed the committee that Pakistan Post Office Department (PPOD) had over 10,000 branches nationwide and it continued to be a cornerstone of communication and financial inclusion, offering services like domestic and international mail, remittance solutions, utility bill collections and CNIC renewals.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, Pakistan Post achieved 30.35pc revenue growth. Modernisation efforts, supported by Korea’s EXIM Bank, include ICT upgrades, field automation with 1,000 motorcycles and mobile devices and paperless mail transmission.

These initiatives, set for completion by November 2026, will ensure enhanced operational efficiency and service quality. Pakistan Post remains committed to driving socio-economic development and supporting SDGs.

The committee was informed that 5,816 posts had been abolished, resulting in savings of Rs560 million.

The communication secretary informed the committee that Pakistan Post was generating an income of Rs9.2 billion whereas its expenditures amounted to Rs28 billion.

The secretary informed the committee members that the ministry had submitted a business plan to the government aimed at facilitating the department’s growth.

The committee directed Pakistan Post to prepare a presentation for the next meeting, including a comparative analysis with two or three other countries in the region.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2024