ISLAMABAD: The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has pointed out that the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) made a disproportionate increase in driving licence fees and recommended that the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration review and rationalise the revised fee structure.

According to the audit report, the Islamabad Traffic Police, with reference to a letter issued by the Chief Commissioner Islamabad Office on May 13, 2024, amended Rule 26 of the Pakistan Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969, and revised driving licence fees with effect from May 2024.

The audit observed that the revised fee structure reflected abnormally high increases ranging from 100pc to 733.33pc over the rates notified in 2018.

A comparison with the National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) also showed that ITP fees were 200pc to 700pc higher for identical services.

The report said the increases were excessive and disproportionate, with no documented cost-based justification.

According to the audit, the increase placed an undue financial burden on the public by compelling citizens to pay excessive charges for obtaining a statutory document.

It said the primary mandate of the traffic police was to regulate traffic, ensure road safety and facilitate citizens, while the issuance of licences was a regulatory function and not a revenue-generating activity.

The report added that the role of the state and its institutions was fundamentally welfare-oriented and not to generate revenue through disproportionate fee increases.

The audit further observed that the substantial increase in licence fees was inconsistent with the principles of reasonableness, equity and public facilitation, and could undermine public trust in governance.

It said the absence of a rational basis or affordability analysis further weakened the justification for the revision.

The management did not respond until the finalisation of the report.

The audit recommended that the ICT government review and rationalise the revised driving licence fee structure, align it with actual service delivery costs and comparable organisations such as the NH&MP and other provinces, and ensure that future revisions are reasonable, proportionate and consistent with the state’s welfare mandate.

The AGP also questioned the legality of the revision, stating that the fee increase was made without the approval of the federal government.

According to the report, the Chief Commissioner Islamabad Office, through a notification issued on May 13, 2024, amended Rule 26 of the Pakistan Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969.

Under the revised structure, the learner’s permit fee was increased from Rs300 to Rs1,000, while driving licence fees for non-professional and professional drivers were raised from Rs1,200 to Rs3,000 and Rs10,000, respectively.

The motorcycle driving licence fee was increased from Rs1,500 to Rs10,000, while the digital licence card fee rose from Rs400 to Rs2,000.

The renewal fee within 30 days, within one year, within three years and after three years was increased to Rs2,000, Rs2,500, Rs3,000 and Rs8,000, respectively, from Rs700, Rs1,500 and Rs400 under the previous schedule.

The fees for duplicate licences, conversion and addition (endorsement) were increased from Rs1,200 to Rs3,000, while the fee for renewal and duplicate learner’s permits was raised from Rs150 to Rs500.

The restoration fee for a licence was doubled from Rs10,000 to Rs20,000.

The audit observed a contradiction in the exercise of powers by the Chief Commissioner Islamabad.

It said that the amendments to Rule 26 of the Pakistan Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969, were made without the approval of the federal government and were therefore exercised without lawful authority.

The management did not respond to queries until the finalisation of the report. The audit recommended that the revised licence fees be got approved by the federal government.

Capital police were approached for their version verbally and through messages, but no response was received.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026