IG Punjab Orders Further Crackdown on Non-Standard Number PlatesZero traffic accidents reported in 23 districts; 82% drop in head injuries after helmet enforcement

By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has ordered further intensification of the crackdown on non-standard number plates and other traffic violations, directing strict and indiscriminate enforcement of amended traffic laws across the province.
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the IG at the Central Police Office (CPO) Lahore, where officials reviewed the implementation of traffic law reforms introduced under Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, improved traffic management measures, and the overall law and order situation.
IG Punjab instructed district police officers (DPOs) and district traffic officers to personally oversee field operations and ensure effective action against traffic violations identified by the Special Branch. He ordered strict legal action against non-standard number plates, helmet violations, one-way driving, overloading, and other offences, stressing the need for measurable improvements in traffic management performance.
Briefing the meeting, Additional IG Special Branch Punjab Rao Abdul Karim said the Special Branch is continuously monitoring traffic accidents, violations of traffic laws, and drug peddling activities across the province.
DIG Traffic Punjab Waqas Nazir reported a significant decline in serious traffic accidents due to effective enforcement. He said traffic accident rates have dropped to zero in 23 districts, while head injuries have decreased by 82 percent following strict helmet enforcement. He added that over the past three weeks, 2.5 million citizens obtained driving licences, including 111,000 licences issued through mobile licensing units.
CTO Lahore Athar Waheed said that traffic accidents in Lahore have declined by 47 percent over the past month.
The IG directed further improvements in traffic management in districts including Lodhran, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Khanewal. He also ordered enhanced supervision to curb online drug peddling, ensure effective prosecution in narcotics cases, and strengthen crime prevention through targeted night patrolling.
Dr. Usman Anwar stressed improving police response time on emergency helpline 15, ensuring online connectivity of mobile police units with Safe Cities monitoring systems, and strict enforcement of laws issued by the Punjab government during Basant. He reiterated zero tolerance for corruption, misuse of authority, or collusion with drug dealers, and ordered strict accountability of police personnel.
Additional directives included timely completion of welfare and development projects such as police lines and residential barracks, immediate response to complaints at the 1787 Complaint Centre, punishment for delays in FIR registration, and regular coordination meetings among district police, the Counter Crime Department (CCD), Special Branch and other operational units.
The IG also ordered enhanced security for Chinese nationals and experts, arrest and prosecution of facilitators of proscribed organisations, and thorough preparation for the establishment of the Cyber Crime Department. He further directed training of Riot Management Police, provision of required human resources and logistics, and performance review visits by Regional Police Officers (RPOs) to SDPO circles.
The meeting was attended by Additional IG Special Branch Rao Abdul Karim, Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Nekokara, DIG Traffic Waqas Nazir, CTO Lahore/DIG PHP Athar Waheed, SSP Traffic Syed Nadeem Abbas and other senior officers, while Additional IG South Punjab, the Managing Director of Punjab Safe Cities Authority, RPOs, CPOs, DPOs, CTOs and District Traffic Officers joined via video link.