LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking to strike down the Punjab Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, a law introducing stricter penalties for traffic violations across the province. The ruling came from Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, who stated that the ordinance was enacted by the government for public welfare and must be implemented.
Hearing the petition filed by Asif Shakir, a lawyer, the chief justice questioned the motive behind challenging a law designed to improve public safety. “Instead of ensuring compliance with the law, you have come to have it struck down,” she remarked.
‘5,000 Children Affected by Wrong-Way Violations’
Chief Justice Neelum cited police data highlighting the severe consequences of reckless driving, noting that 5,000 children were injured or killed in accidents caused solely by wrong-way driving. She emphasized that the increased fines were necessary to compel people to follow traffic rules.
“Laws are enacted to improve society as they are necessary to make citizens responsible,” she observed, lamenting the widespread practice of allowing underage children to ride motorcycles at high speed.
Reference to Recent Electric Scooter Incident
The chief justice expressed particular concern over accidents caused by underage drivers and referred to a recent incident in Islamabad where two young women riding an electric scooter were hit by an SUV driven by an underage boy. She stressed that such tragedies underline the need for stringent enforcement of traffic laws.
Comparing Pakistan’s traffic culture to international standards, Chief Justice Neelum pointed out that in cities like Dubai, traffic fines can reach 100,000 dirhams, demonstrating the seriousness with which violations are treated elsewhere.
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Warning Fine for First Violation
She also noted the government’s clarification that motorists would receive a warning fine for the first violation, with legal action following any subsequent offence. The aim, she said, was not to punish citizens unnecessarily but to instill responsible driving habits.
“Laws are enacted to improve society as they are necessary to make citizens responsible,” LHC chief justice Neelum remarks. https://t.co/MG6Em1OPJW
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 5, 2025
Petition Declared Not Maintainable
With these observations, the chief justice ruled the petition as not maintainable and dismissed it. The decision paves the way for full implementation of the Punjab Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which authorities say is essential to curbing road accidents and promoting safer roads across the province.
