IHC issues notices to Motorway police for fining Chakwal resident over use of duplicate number plates
Zubair Qureshi
A resident of Talagang, District Chakwal has spent over PKR 35,000 over hiring a lawyer, his travel expenses and the court’s fee etc challenging a challan ticket of Rs300 issued to him by the National Highway & Motorway Police (NHMP) for using improper/duplicate number plates on his vehicle.
The petitioner Mohammad Noman Awan had to hire a lawyer, bear his travel expenses from Talagnag to Islamabad and deposit court fee also to file a writ petition a total amount of around Rs35,000 in order to strike down the Rs300 ticket.
In his petition he has prayed to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to declare the act of the Motorway police null and void.
The IHC judge Babar Sattar has admitted his petition for hearing and directed the Motorway police to submit reply by April 29.
According to details, an official of the NHMP on February 27, 2021 had intercepted Noman’s vehicle when he entered the M2 (Lahore-Islamabad) section of the Motorway from Balkasar Interchange.
Upon inquiring he was told by the Motorway police official he was being fined for not using specified number plates on his vehicle.
However, the police official could not provide the exact law under which plying of vehicles on the Motorway with such number plates was an offence.
Advocate Saad Bin Safdar, the counsel for the petitioner while talking to Pakistan Observer said it was not a matter of Rs300 but it involved a substantial question of law and the petitioner had sought the IHC’s intervention for its interpretation.
“Under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1956, only Motor Vehicle Registration Authority issues specific registration number plates that are computerized and of similar size and shape.
For the motorists plying their vehicles in Punjab it is mandatory to use these plates on their vehicles.
However, since Motorway falls under federal government’s jurisdiction, Punjab’s or any other province’s laws don’t apply there,” said Advocate Saad Bin Safdar.
Noman Awan despite spending over Rs 35,000 is determined to go ahead and get the matter settled once for all.
