Punjab Assembly passes bill to reduce traffic fines

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday approved a bill lowering traffic fines for several categories of vehicles, while also passing seven other pieces of legislation during a session that began after a delay of more than two hours.

The sitting was chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. Alongside the traffic-related legislation, the House passed bills dealing with amendments concerning social security, public sector universities, stamp laws, the Punjab Forensic Science Authority, and matters related to protected areas and forests.

Traffic penalties reduced

Under the amended Motor Vehicles law, fines for motorcycles have been cut from Rs2,000 to Rs1,000 for certain violations, while the maximum penalty has been fixed at Rs2,000.

For rickshaws, fines for minor offences have also been reduced from Rs3,000 to Rs1,000. More serious violations in that category will now carry a fine of up to Rs2,000.

Penalties for selected violations involving cars and jeeps have been brought down from Rs5,000 to Rs2,000. However, fines for over-speeding have not been changed.

Vehicles with engine capacity above 2000cc will now face a maximum fine of Rs10,000, reduced from Rs20,000.

Public transport vehicles, including buses, coasters and light vans, will be subject to fines of up to Rs7,000 instead of the earlier Rs20,000. Heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses will see their maximum fines reduced from Rs20,000 to Rs10,000.

As per details, the bill will take effect after receiving final approval from the governor.

Other business in the House

The assembly proceedings also saw a heated discussion over the issuance of bounced aid cheques to minority communities. The matter drew criticism from both treasury and opposition members during the session.

The traffic fines bill was among the key measures adopted by the House on the day, as lawmakers moved through a broader legislative agenda that included multiple amendment bills.

The approved legislation covered a range of sectors, including social welfare and higher education, as well as legal and environmental governance frameworks through changes linked to stamp laws, the Punjab Forensic Science Authority, and protected areas and forests.

Wednesday’s sitting concluded after the passage of the traffic fines bill and the seven additional bills, with the reduction in penalties for different classes of vehicles forming one of the central decisions taken by the assembly.