BAHAWALNAGAR:
Allegations of corruption, harassment and abuse of authority have emerged against certain traffic police officials in Bahawalnagar district, seriously undermining public trust and causing widespread concern among citizens.
Residents report that, instead of paying official fees, illegal and high sums are demanded for the issuance of driving licenses. According to the complainants, amounts of up to Rs 6,000 are charged for motorcycle and car licences, while between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 are demanded for LTV licences, without receipts or legal documentation.
Citizens further complain that traffic personnel at major intersections often resort to abusive language, threats and intimidation, while imposing heavy fines without giving clear reasons or issuing proper challans.
Many allege that the law’s enforcement is discriminatory, claiming that measures are mainly taken against motorcyclists, rickshaw drivers and owners of small vehicles, while drivers of expensive vehicles are rarely stopped. Owais Aslam, a resident of Manchanabad Chowk, alleged that after he missed a signal due to traffic congestion, officials verbally abused him.
He further claimed that a traffic officer, identified as Ubaidullah, seized his motorcycle after threatening him with an FIR.
The motorcycle was returned two days later.
Another citizen, Rizwan, alleged that despite having complete documents, he was detained for almost two hours and asked to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 without justification.
Other residents, including Alam Ali and Altaf, alleged that vehicles are impounded for “illegal parking” even when there are no designated parking facilities, and cash is allegedly collected on the spot instead of issuing challans.
Citizens and civil society representatives say written complaints have been made to DSP Traffic and DPO Bahawalnagar, but no visible departmental action has been taken so far, raising questions about accountability.
