The Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed a petition challenging the Punjab Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which imposes stricter fines and penalties for traffic violations.
Advocate Asif Shakir had previously argued that the amendments unfairly targeted underage riders with heavy fines and criminal charges, rather than focusing on public education.
The court rejected the petition, with Chief Justice Aalia Neelum emphasizing that the government’s enacted laws must be upheld.
During the proceedings, the Chief Justice pointed to alarming road-safety statistics involving underage drivers.
The court noted that nearly 5,000 children, many underage, had been injured or killed in accidents due to wrong-way driving.
She condemned the practice of parents allowing young children to ride motorcycles, calling it irresponsible.
The court justified the heavy fines as a deterrent against rising traffic violations, especially the alarming increase in hit-and-run cases.
The Chief Justice also referenced international practices, such as Dubai’s severe fines, to support the tougher penalties.
Ultimately, the LHC deemed the petition “non-maintainable” and upheld the amended ordinance.
This decision reinforces the government’s push for stricter traffic enforcement, prioritizing road safety, especially for vulnerable groups like children and underage riders. The court’s ruling prevents further legal challenges to the ordinance’s penalties.
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