ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday declined to suspend the decision that allows riding of 500cc heavy bikes on the Motorways.

IHC division bench consisting of Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb took up the intra court appeal (ICA) filed by the National Highways and Motorways Police (NHMP) against the order of a single member bench that enabled heavy bikers to drive their 500cc bikes on the motorways subject to the permission of NHMP.

Justice Minallah asked NHMP to evolve a standard operating procedure (SOP) for heavy bikes and then they may be issued permits after fulfilling all formalities. Bikes will not be allowed on the motorways without an NHMP permit.

Justice Minallah remarked that the bench would issue an appropriate order in this regard on Dec 22.

Earlier, an IHC single member bench consisting of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani allowed 500cc bikes on the motorways.

Pleading the court to reverse the decision to allow the entry of heavy bikes into Motorways, the police in the ICA have urged the court to stay the permission granted by the single bench till the disposal of the petition.

The counsel of the petitioner, Baber Sattar argued that many countries in the world have allowed heavy bikes on motorways. He pointed out that as per Motorway Ordinance 2000, there is no restriction on the entry of bikes on the motorways.

According to the counsel, in 2011, heavy bikes were allowed on motorways for three years and not a single complaint was registered against the bikers.

NHMP told the court that several bikers were fined and expressed apprehensions that in case of tyre burst there would be risk of fatal accidents.

Justice Minallah remarked that the tyres of cars can also burst and asked if they should also be banned on the motorway.

The chief justice asked that when the bikers have assured to abide by the rules then why they were barred to ride on Motorways.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2018