Lahore, In a significant move to enhance the flow of traffic and ensure road safety in Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has emphasized the need for smooth and uninterrupted traffic movement across the province. The directive came as part of her commitment to facilitating the citizens through improved traffic management and the strict enforcement of road safety measures.
According to Punjab Police, Inspector General of Punjab (IG) Dr. Usman Anwar recently chaired a comprehensive meeting focused on the province’s traffic management improvement. The meeting saw the participation of key officials including Additional IG Traffic Mirza Faran Baig, Chief Operating Officer of the Safe Cities Authority Captain (R) Mustansar Feroze, SSP Traffic Ghazanfar Ali Shah, and CTO Lahore Amara Athar, alongside district traffic officers who joined via video link. The assembly discussed a range of strategies to enhance governance in traffic regulation and management, highlighting the urgency to remove road obstructions and encroachments with the cooperation of district administrations.
Dr. Usman Anwar stressed the importance of utilizing modern technology to boost the efficiency of traffic police operations on highways. He directed the integration of Safe Cities Authority cameras to improve traffic flow and the eradication of both temporary and permanent encroachments. A strict adherence to traffic rules and road safety SOPs was mandated to prevent accidents, alongside the promotion of digital traffic applications to educate the public on traffic awareness. Anwar further instructed that vendors should only set up stalls in designated areas, moving towards a more organized and safe traffic environment.
Additional IG Traffic, Mirza Faran Baig, contributed to the discussions by highlighting a 90% increase in traffic licensing over the past year, a testament to the efforts made towards enhancing traffic management. The introduction of electric driving and online licensing systems was also noted as a significant advancement in making the licensing process more accessible to the citizens.
The initiative under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s leadership and the concerted efforts of the Punjab Police and traffic management officials signal a proactive approach to addressing the challenges of traffic congestion and road safety, aiming for a more regulated and efficient traffic system across Punjab.