Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered an immediate halt to the practice of handcuffing students over traffic rule violations, expressing strong displeasure at incidents involving minors being restrained by police, reported 24NewsHd TV channel.
In a major policy shift, the Chief Minister has also approved, in principle, the issuance of smart cards and motorcycle driving licenses to individuals aged 16, offering a structured and legal pathway for young riders.
Maryam Nawaz directed the Punjab traffic police to launch a province-wide awareness week focused on educating the public, particularly students, on road safety and legal requirements. Under the new guidelines, a warning ticket will be issued for a first-time helmet violation rather than immediate punitive action.
Modern enforcement technology will also be deployed, including the use of drones and body-worn cameras by traffic police for the first time.
“Traffic rules exist to protect lives,” the Chief Minister said, urging the public to adopt responsible road behavior.
She stressed that every citizen has a role in ensuring adherence to traffic laws, emphasizing respect, safety, and awareness rather than fear-based enforcement.
“We do not want to catch innocent children, the real issue is compliance,” she noted, adding that it is often not the children’s fault, but a failure by adults to insist on helmet use. She encouraged parents to actively educate their children about road safety.
The Chief Minister also instructed the traffic police to maintain public dignity during interactions, avoiding misconduct or disrespectful behaviour.
During a briefing, officials reported that 2,445 police vehicles themselves were found violating traffic rules, and action was taken accordingly under the law.
Reporter: Rao Dilshad