ISLAMABAD: Fines were imposed on two officials of Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) as they were found absent from duty at the time of a road accident at the G-11 signal on Monday night.

Fines of Rs10,000 and Rs5,000 were imposed on a constable and an assistant sub-inspector respectively who were deputed at the signal on Srinagar Highway during the second shift - 3pm to 11pm. Four young men died and two persons were injured after a Lexus crashed a Mehran car and a motorcycle at the signal.

At the time of the accident, the two officials were found absent from duty without any prior permission from senior officers and did not reach the place of the incident, police officials said, adding show-cause notices were issued to them for submission of reply, which was found unsatisfactory.

As a result, fines were imposed on them.

Talking to Dawn, the officials said ITP works in three shifts and due to the visit of the South African team, timing of the shifts had changed and everyone was called on duty, an hour early.

The timing of the second shift was 3pm to 11pm but due to the fresh arrangements it is currently 2pm to 10:30pm, hence they left from the point, they added.

Besides, traffic was managed at G-11 signal through the traffic signal, not manually, they said, adding under such circumstances presence of ITP officials might not have made a difference, as the Lexus had jumped the red signal and hit the Mehran car.

However, the officials were still punished, they added.

Only patrolling vehicles of ITP perform duties during the night shift which starts at 11pm, they said.

The patrolling vehicle, which approached the G-11 signal after the accident, was present at Dokhri Chowk at the time of the incident, they added.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2021