Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Islamabad, Muhammad Sarfraz Virk, on Friday said the performance of the Islamabad Traffic Police remained commendable during 2024.
He said millions of vehicles and motorcycles enter Islamabad daily, making it a very difficult task to maintain the flow of traffic and enforce traffic rules.
Despite this, he said, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) continued to perform professionally and will keep fulfilling its duties to the best of its abilities within the available resources.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of Islamabad Police on Friday over the performance of ITP during 2024, said under the command of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, the ITP performed effectively while taking stern action against the violators during 2024.
The statement said that the ITP took several measures for the convenience of citizens and to keep smooth traffic flowing on the roads of the federal capital.
It said stern legal action was taken against 8,00,000 commuters, 64,395 driving licenses were issued, 62,876 licenses were renewed and 1,12,000 learner permits were issued to the citizens in 2024.
The Islamabad Traffic Police took stern legal action against more than 800,000 vehicles and motorcycles for violating traffic rules.
In addition, FIRs (First Information Reports) were registered against 1,019 individuals for serious traffic violations, driving licenses of drivers and route permits of public transport vehicles were suspended, and legal notices were issued to 300 individuals.
A total of 10,841 vehicles and 40,655 motorcycles were impounded at various police stations for violating traffic laws. Challan tickets were issued to more than 107,000 vehicles for illegal parking, more than 64,000 for fancy number plates, and 17,852 vehicles for tinted glasses.
Additionally, 56,752 tickets were issued to motorcycle riders without helmets, 16,550 for overloading, and 25,555 for lane violations.
The ITP issued 64,395 driving licenses in accordance with international standards during 2024 and ensured the renewal of 62,876 driving licenses upon expiry. More than 112,000 learner permits were issued to citizens applying for driving licenses.
Additionally, the ITP officers performed their duties professionally in more than 7,000 important events during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference in Islamabad.
These events also included the movement of various national and international delegations, national assembly and senate meetings, law and order situations, PSL, and the 2024 election.
As many as 30 officers of ITP were injured while performing their duties. The traffic police officers diligently maintained the flow of traffic in various areas of the federal capital, during ongoing construction projects in development areas.
Furthermore, six designated traffic counters were established at Police Khidmat Markaz. Similarly, Facilitation on Wheel, Education on Wheel, Highway Patrol, Night Patrol, and Smart Traffic Response Units were also formed.
The facility of online renewal and driving license renewal was provided to senior citizens above 70 years of age by visiting their homes.
During the same period, several reforms were also implemented, including the establishment of the Islamabad Traffic Police Education Complex and maintaining the flow of traffic during office hours and the installation of traffic signboards on various highways to guide citizens.
In 2024, the ITP organized 893 workshops in various private and public schools, institutions, and traffic of Islamabad to raise awareness about traffic rules and road safety where more than 60,000 citizens were educated about road safety and traffic rules.
During this period, seven ‘Friends of Police’ and four ‘Police Volunteers’ badges completed the internship program. Besides, five flower candy campaigns and two workshops were organized with the support of a private company.
Apart from this, students from four different schools visited the Islamabad Traffic Office. The ITP also organized a speech competition to create awareness among students about traffic rules, with prizes awarded to students who performed best in the competition.
In consideration of the health of the police officers in the traffic division, two special medical camps were organized where officers underwent free medical screenings and received useful advice from medical experts.