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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) disposed of a petition that suggested the immediate arrest of citizens caught driving without a license. Authorities will push no more immediate criminal charges. However, fines will be issued as the first step.
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar issued this directive. The court emphasized that an FIR should only be registered in cases involving negligent or reckless driving, not for minor infractions.
Driving without a license is not a criminal offense on its own. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) clarified that and ordered that police must issue fines first. Criminal charges can only apply in serious situations, such as accidents caused by negligence, where sections like 302 could come into play.
For first-time offenders, only fines will be imposed. However, repeated violations may lead to stricter legal consequences. The Chief Justice highlighted that unnecessary criminal records can harm individuals’ futures.
The Chief Traffic Officer informed the court about new security features in driving licenses. He added that FIRs are not being registered solely for not having a license. Efforts are also underway to link licenses with NADRA for real-time digital verification through mobile apps.
This ruling brings relief to many drivers in Islamabad. It also pushes law enforcement toward fairer and more tech-enabled traffic regulation.
