LAHORE: The city traffic police have opened a kiosk at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, the first facility on the premises of any airport in the country to issue international driving licences to people “in a few minutes” before they travel abroad.

The facility was established after detailed deliberations in some high-level meetings chaired by Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) DIG Athar Waheed and numerous requests by those traveling abroad seeking issuance of an international driving licence on the airport premises to avoid the inconvenience of visiting traffic police centres scattered across the city.

The department also sought recommendations from legal branch officials in this regard and then came up with the decision to establish the kiosk at the airport for those already holding a local driving licence. The officials claim that the kiosk is manned by trained staff to help initiate the process within a few minutes.

The CTO formally inaugurated the new kiosk here on Monday.

Mr Waheed told Dawn that the Pakistani International Driving Licence (IDL) is valid in 132 countries. This licence allows Pakistani citizens to drive legally in these countries without needing additional permits, simplifying travel for those with a valid Pakistani driving licence and an IDL, he added.

He said the IDL is recognised under the provisions of several UN Conventions on Road Traffic (1926, 1949, and 1968).

The countries where a Pakistani IDL is valid include Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia (in Asia), the UK, Italy, Sweden, Spain, and the Russian Federation.

Similarly, it is also valid in African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, etc, besides the USA, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and others.

The CTO said the new centre was part of the reforms recently launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to digitise the system with the prime objective of facilitating citizens in getting driving licences without any hassle.

The kiosk would function around the clock in three shifts, he said, adding that the staff deputed at the facility was highly trained in IT-based initiatives and modern policing.

“We will keep updating the centre to meet the future requirements,” the CTO said, adding the facility would also be extended to other international airports, keeping in view the citizens’ feedback.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2025