Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi of Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered issuance of traffic challans to policemen if they are found riding their motorbikes without helmet and side mirrors.
The judge also directed for their immediate suspension and departmental action against them who were not obeying the traffic laws.
The judge sought an implementation report within a week’s time.
“No one is above the law. If judges are paying the fine so why not others,” he said.
The judge remarked that recently, a judge of LHC had been challaned through e-ticket system.
The judge while appreciating the e-ticket system observed that everyone was equal in the eyes of law.
The judge remarked that all were equal in the eyes of law and no one would be allowed to violate traffic rules, regardless of them being police officials, traffic wardens or even journalists and lawyers. The judge further remarked that no one would be treated softly. Although it was difficult to implement traffic rules but no option is left behind except implementing those rules.
The judge was hearing a petition filed by advocate Abdullah Malik seeking strict implementation of traffic rules.
Petitioner Counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique raised objection that citizens are being asked to implement traffic rules while the police officials as well as the traffic wardens were not obeying the court’s orders as they seemed riding bikes without helmets. He asserted that law was equal to all if citizens were being challaned, why not the officials?
He requested to issue direction for those police officials including traffic wardens who were found riding motorbikes without wearing helmets.
Published in Daily Times, September 6th 2018.