With the Zilhaj moon sighted and Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner, Pakistanis are gearing up for the festive season. If you are planning to travel inter-city via the motorway to celebrate Eid with your family, we have a major advisory that will directly impact your upcoming road trip.
In a move aimed at boosting commuter safety, the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) has officially announced a complete ban on all vehicles carrying sacrificial animals entering motorways.
Quick Guide: Who is Affected?
| Category | Impact |
| Private cars and SUVs | Allowed – Expect minor delays at checkpoints |
| Passenger buses and vans | Allowed – Unless carrying livestock |
| Animal-loaded pickups and trucks | Banned – Strictly diverted from motorways |
| GT Road / National Highways | Open – Expect increased traffic load |
Why the Ban?
We have all encountered overstuffed pickups, Shahzore trucks, and open commercial vehicles packed to the brim with livestock cruising down high-speed lanes during the pre-Eid rush.
According to an NHMP spokesperson, these vehicles pose a severe hazard to highway traffic. Stated reasons for the ban include:
Overloading and Structural Unfitness: Many vehicles hired to transport livestock are not structurally sound or engineered to carry heavy, moving, and shifting cargo at high speeds.
Improper Loading: Unsecured animals shifting weight during lane changes or sudden braking can cause vehicles to tip over, resulting in devastating high-speed accidents.
Severe Traffic Bottlenecks: Broken-down or slow-moving livestock trucks frequently cause major gridlocks near key interchanges.
To prevent high-speed collisions and ensure smooth holiday traffic flow, the NHMP is strictly enforcing this preemptive safety measure.
How the Ban is Being Enforced By The Motorway Police
The NHMP is executing a coordinated plan to ensure zero entry of livestock transport on the motorway network:
Alternative Routes: All vehicles transporting sacrificial animals will be strictly diverted to alternative, slower routes, such as the Grand Trunk (GT) Road and other national highways.
Joint Checkpoints: To support enforcement, the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police have reportedly been instructed to establish active checkpoints at all major motorway toll plazas and entry points.
Action Against Illegal Parking: Authorities are cracking down on the illegal parking of commercial vehicles near interchanges, which often worsens holiday congestion.
What This Means for You
1. For the Regular Commuter: A Safer but Slower Ride
If you are driving home for Eid, this ban is excellent news for your safety. Keeping unstable, slow-moving livestock transport off the motorways will significantly reduce the risk of high-speed collisions and make for a much smoother drive.
PakWheels Insights: Due to joint police checkpoints at motorway entry points and toll plazas, expect minor travel delays during peak holiday hours. We advise leaving early for your destination, keeping your vehicle documentation handy, and preparing for slower boarding at toll plazas.
2. For Transporters and Traders: The Logistical Challenge
If you are transporting livestock, your travel times and routes are changing. Being diverted to alternative routes like the GT Road means dealing with more local city traffic, speed breakers, and longer transit times.
PakWheels Insights: Factor in higher fuel consumption and plan your journey well in advance. Remember, driving overloaded or unfit vehicles on national highways remains subject to local traffic laws, and overloading penalties will still be strictly enforced there.
3. For the Average Buyer: The Price Impact
Because transporters must now utilize longer, fuel-heavy alternative routes, transport costs may rise for some traders. This could add pressure to mandi prices, depending on the route distance and fuel costs.
Drive Safe This Eid!
The Motorway Police is taking a commendable step to make our holiday travel safer. As drivers, let’s do our part:
- Perform a pre-trip check on your vehicle’s fluids, tire pressure, and brakes.
- Strictly adhere to speed limits.
- Keep a safe distance from heavy commercial transport on alternative routes.
For more automotive news, tips, and updates, stay tuned to PakWheels Blog.
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