The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted major relief to citizens driving without licenses, ruling that no immediate FIR should be registered in such cases. Instead, a fine must be imposed first, according to the directives issued by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar during Thursday’s hearing.
The court clarified that criminal cases should only apply to negligent or reckless driving, not merely for failing to produce a license. However, the Chief Justice added that in case of an accident caused by negligence, driving without a valid license could attract serious charges such as Section 302 (murder).
During the hearing, the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) informed the court that new security features had been added to licenses to prevent tampering and that NADRA’s mobile app now allows instant document verification. The CTO also mentioned ongoing efforts to digitally link driving licenses[1] with NADRA for real-time validation.
Chief Justice Dogar emphasized,
“Registering criminal cases for minor traffic offenses can leave a lasting mark on a citizen’s record.” He directed authorities to fine first-time violators and reserve strict action for repeat offenders.
This decision aims to balance citizen rights and traffic law enforcement, ensuring that legal action remains fair and proportionate.
References
- ^ driving licenses (www.techjuice.pk)