LHC dismisses petition against amendments to Motor Vehicle Ordinance
Pakistan
Court observed that laws are made to improve society, and legislation is necessary to make citizens responsible
LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a petition challenging the provincial government’s amendments to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance.
LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard advocate Asif Shakir’s petition, in which the petitioner argued that police were registering FIRs against underage children and imposing heavy fines through new legislation. He argued that instead of educating citizens about traffic laws, imposing fines and FIRs was unfair.
The petitioner requested the court to declare the amendments introducing heavy fines null and void.
Responding to the arguments, the chief justice remarked that the government has made the law and it must be followed. “Instead of complying with the law, you have come here seeking its abolition,” she said.
She noted that children whose feet don’t even reach the ground are being given motorcycles. “Both elders and children from my own home have received challans,” she said, adding that police reported 5,000 underage drivers injured or killed in accidents caused by one-way violations.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum further remarked that underage children ride motorcycles at high speed, and higher fines are intended to deter violations.
She added that traffic violations carry heavy fines worldwide — in Dubai, penalties can go up to 100,000 dirhams. “Hit-and-run incidents in neighborhoods are very common. Our children’s safety is crucial, so we must learn to follow the law.”
She noted that the government has stated that a fine will be imposed for the first violation and legal action will follow upon repetition.
The court further observed that laws are made to improve society, and legislation is necessary to make citizens responsible, especially when parents themselves fail to act responsibly.
Subsequently, the LHC dismissed the petition as non-maintainable.
