RAWALPINDI: Traffic rules violations remain a concern in Murree as the City Traffic Police issued challans to 42,438 motorists imposing Rs23,223 million fines and impounding 350 motorcycles and 78 vehicles in the year 2024.

“Any nation’s discipline can be observed by looking at its traffic. The public is therefore urged to show their love and respect for the nation by following the traffic laws,” CTO Murree Mughees Ahmed Hashmi said.

By implementing the rules, the traffic police under the supervision of DSP Abrar Sarwar Qureshi issued tickets to 28400 public service vehicles with black glass, without number plates and non-pattern number plates, for charging exorbitant fares, overloading and not having fitness certificates and route permits.

The police said 6245 motorists were challaned for driving without licence and 2226 motorcyclists for not wearing helmets etc., a spokesman for the traffic police said.

“In the year 2024, the City Traffic Police Murree took indiscriminate action against traffic violations, issuing challans to 42,438 vehicles and motorcyclists and depositing Rs23.223 million fines in the government treasury.” He said 350 motorcycles and 78 vehicles were impounded at police stations.

More than 200,000 tourists and drivers were also briefed on traffic rules by the traffic police. All possible facilities were provided to millions of tourists during the summer and snowfall seasons in Murree, he said.

The spokesman added that 33 cases were registered in various police stations for serious violations of traffic rules.

The CTO said a total of 8056 people benefited from the driving licence branch in Murree. He said 3190 people obtained their learner’s licences, 2468 renewed their learner’s licences and 19 duplicate licences were made. Moreover, 1823 fresh licences were issued and 446 driving licences were renewed.

“At the beginning of the new year, the issuance of commercial driving licences was started to provide maximum convenience to the residents of Murree. To solve traffic problems in Murree and for the convenience of the public, a control room has been established in the Murree Sunni Bank office so that the complaints of the public can be redressed in a timely manner,” said the spokesman.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2025