Crime Reporter
Lahore :Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, met a delegation of office-bearers of Punjab and Sindh Goods Transport Associations at the Central Police Office, Lahore. The delegation included representatives of Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, United Goods Transport Alliance, Sindh Goods Transport Owners Association, Karachi Goods Carrier Association, Local Goods Transport Association, Supreme Council of Transporters, All Pakistan Truck Trailer Owners Association, All Pakistan Goods Mazda Owners Association, Half Body Trailer and Dumper Committee, and Transport Carrier Association. The delegation appreciated the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif regarding traffic reforms and measures introduced for the protection of human lives and assured full cooperation. President Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, Shahzad Awan, apprised the IG Punjab of various issues being faced by the transporters’ community.
IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar said that Punjab Police is taking comprehensive measures to resolve the legitimate issues of the transporters’ community. He said that there will be no compromise on the protection of human lives during travel and that indiscriminate action against traffic law violations will continue. IG Punjab said that linking goods transport terminals and vehicles with the monitoring system of Punjab Safe Cities Authority would help prevent incidents of theft, robbery, and highway crime. For improved traffic management, coordination between the Safe Cities Authority and transporters is being further strengthened.
He stressed the transporters to ensure elimination of overloading, prevention of fake number plates, valid vehicle fitness certificates, and proper training and schooling of truck drivers to avoid accidents. He emphasized that drivers involved in serious traffic accidents must present themselves before the police for legal proceedings.
IG Punjab directed that FIRs related to crimes involving goods transporters should be registered immediately and recovery should be ensured at the earliest. He said that the process of obtaining driving licenses for goods transport drivers has been made easier and more efficient, and concerns related to challaning, fines, FIRs, and vehicle impoundment have also been addressed. IG Punjab said that to eliminate illegal parking of trucks and goods transport vehicles on roads, transporters should allocate proper stand locations in all districts. He also assured transporters that issues related to the Customs and Excise Department would be taken up with the relevant authorities. During the meeting, it was mutually agreed to formulate a joint course of action through mutual understanding for resolving issues between Punjab Police and goods transporters.
On this occasion, Additional IG South Punjab Muhammad Kamran Khan and MD Punjab Safe Cities Authority Muhammad Ahsan Younas participated via video link, while Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Naikokara, DIG Traffic Punjab Waqas Nazir, CTO Lahore DIG Dr. Atthar Waheed, AIG Operations, AIG Admin and Security, and other senior officers were also present.
