CTO Islamabad Capt (Retd) Hamza appeared in the court in person on court’s notice
ISLAMABAD
Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed not to register case immediately against the citizens for driving vehicles without driving license.
The court said warning be issued to citizen first for not showing license and then fine be imposed.
Petition from a citizen against fixation of deadline for arresting or seizing the vehicles of the citizens for driving vehicles without license came up for hearing before Chief Justice (CJ) IHC Sarfraz Ahmad Dogar Thursday.
CTO Islamabad Capt (Retd) Hamza Hummayun appeared in the court in person on court’s notice.
The petitioner said Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) gave deadline that after it vehicle will be seized , cases will be registered and arrests will be made. Issuing directives to arrest the citizens for not holding driving licenses are illegal and unconstitutional. Enforcement of such punishment without legislation in parliament and approval of cabinet be stopped.
The CJ IHC remarked it has been said in the petition that any new law has been enacted or is being enacted. This thing became clear that case be registered on negligence in driving. If some one drives vehicle without license then section 302 stands imposed in the event of accident.
CJ IHC said how much time has passed since the creation of Pakistan. Pakistan had been established over 70 years ago, yet many drivers were still unaware of the need for a valid license. If you have license and its hard copy is not available with you then “ show its copy.
CTO Islamabad informed the court different security features have been introduced after tempering in the license. We have not registered any case against the citizen for not holding license so far.
The court remarked now the verification of national identity card is made through NADRA App. You should also introduce such type of system. Online re-verification of all documents can be made from NADRA App too.
CTO Islamabad said we will try to digitalize it after linking it with NADRA.
The CJ IHC maintained the case falls in criminal history following its registration. One time warning and fine be imposed. When you impose fine on any one it will be on record. Second time you can take stern action.
CJ IHC remarked mistakes are committed by human being but there is no scope for mistake in the law.
The court wrapped up the petition of the citizen with directives.
