In a move that will benefit many motorists, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has scrapped the planned increase in fines for expired driving licenses. The decision, effective immediately, applies to all licenses that expired before January 16, 2024.
Drivers whose licenses lapsed prior to this date can now renew them at the previous, lower fine rates. However, the new fee structure will still apply to licenses expiring on or after January 16, 2024.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore, Ammara Athar, stated that the previous fine system, which ranged from 75 to 500 rupees annually, will remain in place for eligible renewals. Athar also confirmed that the renewal fee for trainee permits will stay at 500 rupees.
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The CTO emphasized that citizens have the option to renew both international and regular driving licenses either from home or at licensing offices. She warned that strict action would be taken against underage and unlicensed drivers.
In related news, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has launched an investigation into a fake international driving license scandal. The inquiry will be conducted jointly by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and a provincial committee. The issue came to light when Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad noticed discrepancies in driving licenses supposedly issued by the KP Transport Department, which were not recorded in the department’s database.
This development highlights the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of driving license systems across Pakistan.
