K-P CM launches E-challan system

IGP says 5,000 franchises authorised to collect fines from motorists

PESHAWAR: As part of its efforts to digitize systems in the province and to tackle corruption, the provincial government on Wednesday formally launched an E-Challan system for the traffic police.

The new online application portal for mines in the newly-merged tribal areas was also formally inaugurated on Wednesday in a separate ceremony.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday launched the E-challan system at the Peshawar Police Lines.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that by launching the system, they had achieved an important milestone in realizing the prime minister's vision for a digital Pakistan. Moreover, he said that reforms in the police department had boosted the performance of force while the introduction of this system will facilitate citizens and ensure the hassle-free working of the police department.

Mahmood reiterated that the government is taking all tangible measures to keep pace with the changing world while efforts were underway to digitise the working of all government institutions.

K-P Inspector General of Police Sanaullah Abbasi told the chief minister that as many as 5,000 franchises had been authorised throughout the province where fines collected from motorists can be deposited.

He further said that all those issued tickets for violating traffic rules through the system will be provided with invoices issued through the mobile app apart from recording data of traffic violators. This advanced system will make it possible for the police to monitor traffic systems.

To make policing more effective, he said that the app will be linked with the safe city project. Furthermore, the provincial police chief said that the system has been linked with the central driving system in 28 districts of the province.

Talking about the implementation of the advanced ticketing system, the IGP said that so far as many as 1,100 traffic wardens had been trained to use the new system. Moreover, they have been equipped with the required gadgets to fully utilize the system.

Online application for mines lease

In a separate ceremony at the Chief Minister House, CM Mahmood inaugurated an online application portal to obtain licences for mines in the Newly-Merged Tribal Districts (NMTDs).

Mahmood said that the new system, set up as per the amended mines and minerals law, will prove to be an important step towards safeguarding the rights of people of the tribal districts to the natural resources in these areas.

The chief minister further said that that through the amended mines and minerals law, the negative and baseless propaganda by vested interests had suffered a setback and that the people of NMTDs should now be optimistic about their future.

He said that a new era of development and prosperity awaits the people of the tribal districts who, for long, have been deprived of development.

“The provincial government is committed towards the uplift of backward areas in the province. We are focused on industrialisation, strengthening communication networks, attracting investors and promoting entrepreneurship through which the province is destined to become a centre for trade and commerce activities in the entire region,” he added.

The chief minister stated that with the launch of the online mining applications portal, the provincial government has fulfilled yet another promise made with the people of merged districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2020.