FACT CHECK: Motorway and highway reduced speed limits announced but not implemented

LAHORE: The federal government has announced a reduction in speed limits on motorways and highways as part of its austerity plan to curb fuel consumption amid rising petrol and diesel prices. However, the change has not yet been implemented, and vehicles continue to commute at existing speed limits.

The announcement was confirmed in a tweet by Mosharraf Zaidi, Prime Minister’s Spokesperson for Foreign Media, who shared a copy of the official government document outlining the new speed limits.

The reported limits are 90–100 km/h on motorways and 65–80 km/h on highways, aimed at reducing fuel consumption, which increases significantly at higher speeds.

The news initially circulated widely online, with pages and websites such as PakWheels, ProPakistani, Startup Pakistan, Pakistan Observer, and Car Enthusiasts Pakistan reporting it as already in effect. Posts cited the recent surge in petrol prices, around Rs55 per litre, and rising global oil costs as reasons for the measure.

Pakistan Today contacted the National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) helpline to verify the claims. Officials confirmed that while the announcement had been made, “No such notification has been sent to us, nor has there been any change in rules. Vehicles are commuting as per routine speed limits.”

Additionally, a review of NHMP’s social media pages, which are regularly active and updated, shows no official post regarding any reduction in motorway or highway speed limits.

This raises broader questions about government announcements: if some measures, like the speed limit reduction, are announced but not implemented, will other austerity measures under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s plan follow through fully, partially, or not at all?

Observers and motorists are now watching to see which announced policies will be enforced in practice. Meanwhile, motorists are advised to continue following the current speed regulations and rely on official NHMP announcements for any updates regarding road safety and traffic rules.