In a fresh push for road discipline and public safety, the Lahore City Traffic Police has announced a citywide crackdown on vehicles using fake, fancy, or non-standard number plates. This isn’t just a routine warning—it’s a serious move that could land violators with an FIR (First Information Report), starting this Friday.
A 3-Day Grace Period
Before diving into strict action, Chief Traffic Officer Dr. Athar Waheed has launched a three-day awareness campaign to give citizens time to fix their number plates without facing legal consequences.
During this period:
- Vehicle owners with unauthorized or tampered plates will receive warnings only.
- No fines or FIRs will be issued until Friday.
- After that, anyone caught violating the rule will face legal action.
This short grace window is meant to educate the public and give everyone a chance to comply. The purpose of this initial campaign is to spread awareness among citizens and give them an opportunity to comply with regulations before legal action is taken.” — CTO Dr. Athar Waheed
Who’s at Risk?
The crackdown targets more than just drivers.
- Vehicle owners with altered, fancy, or fake plates.
- Manufacturers producing or selling illegal number plates.
In short, if your number plate isn’t standard and government-approved, you could face serious trouble. It’s not just about looks. Authorities have noted that some people intentionally alter their number plates to avoid e-challans (automated traffic fines). This is considered tampering with official identification, and it’s now being treated as a criminal offense.
Over 60,000 Fined in June
While number plates are the main focus in Lahore, Punjab as a whole is seeing stricter enforcement of basic traffic rules—especially the use of helmets and seatbelts. Authorities have stressed that these efforts are about saving lives, not collecting fines, and all drivers and riders are being urged to follow safety rules seriously.
In June alone, traffic police issued over 60,000 fines for riding without helmets and more than 14,600 for not wearing seat belts. The total fines collected reached Rs. 120 million, with Rs. 15 million from helmet violations in Lahore. The message is clear: safety rules are not optional, and enforcement will only get tougher.
Punjab’s traffic police are making one thing clear—enforcement is here to stay, and it’s only getting stricter. Whether it’s a modified number plate, missing helmet, or a forgotten seat belt, there are no more excuses.
So before you head out:
- Make sure your number plate is legal.
- Wear your helmet.
- Buckle your seat belt.
These small actions not only help you avoid fines and legal trouble—they save lives.
