ISLAMABAD: In a major crackdown against fraud, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have arrested a suspect involved in the business of fake driving licences from the parking area of its headquarters at Murree Road near Faizabad.
As per available information with Daily Times, after receiving some complaints from citizens and other sources, the ITP has launched an operation at the aforementioned area.
“During course of investigation and operation the vigilance team arrested a suspect identified as Mutib-ur-Rehman,” sources said.
The team has recovered several fake driving licenses of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from the accused and taken all these fake licenses into custody.
According to the ITP spokesperson Chief Traffic Officer Islamabad, Captain (r) Hamza Humayun had ordered the deployment of special vigilance teams to monitor suspicious activities around traffic police offices following complaints about illegal practices.
“The action was taken after a citizen lodged a complaint, alleging that an individual was collecting money in exchange for issuing fake driving licences,” confirmed the ITP statement.
Acting on the information, the vigilance team conducted reconnaissance and successfully arrested the suspect red-handed. Authorities confirmed that strict legal action is being initiated against the accused, and a formal case is being registered.
The ITP have issued a stern warning to all touts and agents, advising them to refrain from illegal activities or be prepared to face strict action. Citizens have also been urged not to fall prey to blackmailers or fraudulent agents and to approach the traffic police directly for legitimate services.
Police officials emphasized that citizens should never pay more than the officially prescribed fee for driving licences. In case of any complaints or suspicious activity, the public has been advised to immediately contact the Traffic Police Helpline 1915 or the Traffic Headquarters.
The ITP reiterated their commitment to transparency and merit, stating that the department is working diligently to provide maximum facilitation to citizens through lawful and efficient processes.
In backdrop of spoiling reputation of ITP by such touts, the higher authorities last month directed the ITP to stop waiving the learner period, commonly known as LPC (Learner Period Condonation). Later, however, issuance of the LPC has been resumed with declaration of some certain Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
In September last year, the ITP issued warnings to motorists driving without licenses, urging them to obtain the required documentation to avoid legal action, including registration of cases.
In response, a large number of motorists approached the ITP to acquire driving licenses. At the same time, the ITP initiated legal action against those without licenses, registering several cases along with other traffic violations, despite driving without a license being a compoundable offense under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance (MWO).
Despite the court ruling, the aggressive enforcement by the ITP prompted motorists to obtain driving licenses, creating opportunities for ‘touts’ and the ‘mafia’ to allegedly demand money from license seekers to expedite the process.
