ISLAMABAD: The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) on Wednesday made it mandatory for all vehicles, especially passenger and cargo vehicles, to carry a working fire extinguisher as it announced stricter fire safety rules for commuters.
In a statement, an NHMP spokesperson said that all vehicles, especially passenger and cargo vehicles, must carry a working fire extinguisher.
“These special safety measures are being implemented to prevent fire hazards during accidents,” the spokesperson said.
It said that after June 24, vehicles without an active extinguisher will face strict legal action.
Order comes into effect from 24th
Entry of cargo and public service vehicles without a fire extinguisher will be banned at motorways and national highways, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that for the sake of public awareness, the motorway police were carrying out a nationwide fire safety campaign till June 24.
Drivers were urged to make sure that the fire extinguisher they were carrying was not expired.
Expired or non-working units will not be accepted, the spokesperson said.
The development comes a week after at least 10 people were killed and 13 others injured when a fire broke out in a van after it fell into a nullah while negotiating a turn on the Islamabad-Murree Expressway near Khajut.
Talking to Dawn, a senior NHMP official said the decision regarding fire safety applied not only to goods and public transport vehicles, but all private vehicles as well, including SUVs and motor cars.
He acknowledged that car and SUV owners usually don’t keep fire extinguishers, and it would be a new phenomenon for them.
“But now they have to install customised fire extinguishers in their vehicles. Many cars have specific places under the driver’s seat to fit such apparatus,” he added.
He said that the move would help avoid untoward incidents in case an accident befalls a vehicle, or they can be used to assist any other vehicles on the road.
“Keeping cylinders in the cars is not enough as the gas in the should not be the expired one,” he added.
He said owners of buses have been directed to use the rear doors of the buses as fire exits in case of any accident and/or fire.
Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2026