Islamabad, 13 Oct 2023: In a move that aligns with the vision of Pakistan’s Prime Minister and directives from Federal Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, the Islamabad Capital Police have initiated significant reforms, one of which involves the introduction of an internationally standardized dual-language driving license. According to a statement by a public relations officer, the license will gain international recognition, endorsing the strategic vision towards global compliance asserted by Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan. Additionally, several user-friendly measures and a dedicated campaign aimed at enforcing traffic laws have been launched to enhance convenience and adherence to regulations among citizens.
This reform, which is pivotal to the international mobility of Islamabad’s drivers, stipulates that the driving license issued by the Islamabad Capital Police will be recognized on international platforms. This implies that the newly formatted driving license will conform to global standards, facilitating Pakistani citizens in their international driving endeavours, and ensuring a globally compliant documentation system within the capital territory.
Addressing the citizen-centric approach towards bureaucratic processes, the traffic office is now scheduled to remain open from 09 am to 04 pm on Saturdays, aiming to provide unabridged access to its services throughout the week. This particularly facilitates individuals who seek to renew their licenses on Saturdays, offering them a convenient window to carry out the requisite procedures.
In a parallel move to enhance citizen facilitation, the working hours of the driving license branch have been extended by two additional hours daily. This expansion of operational hours is envisioned to accommodate the needs of the citizens effectively, ensuring they can access the services without having to disrupt their daily routines.
Moreover, championing gender-inclusive policies, Pakistan’s first women’s driving school has been established in adherence with international standards, aiming to cater specifically to the women of the country. This initiative is set to offer a dedicated and supportive environment for women to avail themselves of driving education and related services.
Simultaneously, the Islamabad Capital Police have rolled out a specialized campaign that puts a spotlight on adherence to traffic laws. This includes strict enforcement against the utilization of mobile phones while driving, a crackdown on vehicles emitting smoke, and stringent regulations to prevent zebra crossing violations. This campaign underscores a commitment to ensuring disciplined road usage and safeguarding citizens against potential traffic-related mishaps.
To further ensure that adherence to traffic laws is non-negotiable, penalties for violations have been ramped up, aiming to serve as a robust deterrent against non-compliance. Additionally, citizens are urged to make use of the ICT-15 app, which offers a platform to report emergencies, share videos, images, or messages, and seek swift assistance from the police at any moment, ensuring that a digital channel for communication and reporting is always accessible to the populace.