KP launches digital system for driving licence issuance

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has inaugurated a digital licence management system for the issuance of driving licences under the transport department, according to an official statement issued on Monday.

The chief minister said the move represented the practical implementation of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan’s vision for digitisation. He said the new arrangement had fully digitised the process for issuing driving licences, adding that it would make the service easier for citizens while also promoting merit and transparency.

Afridi described the initiative as an important step in the provincial government’s reform programme. “Our government is introducing digital reforms across multiple sectors, including e-governance, online service delivery, and digital payments, aimed at providing services to the public on modern lines,” he said.

System features and early results

Officials briefed the chief minister that after the pilot launch of the digital licence management system, 19,966 learner licences and 2,212 permanent driving licences had been issued. They said the process had generated Rs50 million in revenue for the provincial government.

According to the officials, citizens can apply for driving licences from home through the Dastak mobile app and web portal, with all stages of the licensing process completed digitally.

They said the system includes AI-based facial recognition, online issuance of medical certificates, QR code verification and a centralised database. The officials added that the key features also include cashless payments through multiple platforms and pre-scheduled appointments for medical and driving tests.

Access and verification

Officials said the introduction of e-driving licences had made access quicker and easier for citizens, while the creation of a central database was intended to ensure timely availability of records.

They further said integration of the system with the Dastak platform had improved service delivery and verification processes. They added that strict compliance with the 45-day learner period policy was also being ensured under the new system.

The inauguration marks the formal rollout of the digital licence management system under the transport department as part of the provincial government’s broader digitisation drive outlined in the official statement.