Software bug irks licence seekers

Citizens of the garrison city faced severe difficulties due to the suspension of the process of issuance of the driving licence after the relevant software of the City Traffic Police became inactive on Thursday.

According to sources, an extraordinary number of citizens are reaching the CTP office to obtain their driving licences due to strict measures taken by the Punjab government.

Muhammad Yasin, a citizen who came to the CTP office at 9am to obtain his driving license, told The Express Tribune that every citizen was trying to get their respective driving licence before January 1.

“The main reason is the increase in the driving licence fees by the Punjab government and the registration of cases against those who drive without a valid license,” he said and added that there were a large number of citizens in the Rawalpindi CTP office but the software malfunctioned, bringing the entire system to a grinding halt.

“People queuing for their driving licences had taken special leave from their work and offices but the system has stopped working,” he said, adding the tokens were issued but the process stopped.

Rukhsana, a working woman, who appeared to be anxious due to the system’s malfunction, said she has been coming to the CTP office for two days but sometimes the system malfunctions and sometimes the staff is not present on the seat. “The Punjab government should update the driving license system before making it tough on the citizens,” she suggested and added that applying for a driving license was not a trivial task for a working person.

“No one here realises that women and elderly people have come from faraway places. Due to the lack of seating space in the hall, a large number of citizens have been standing for hours with no one to guide them,” she lamented.

Read: LHC orders arrest of motorists driving sans licence

She demanded the caretaker Punjab chief minister take notice of the public’s suffering at the hands of the licensing department of Rawalpindi CTP and take strict action against them. “Earlier, citizens did not make licences, so the traffic police took action against them, now when they want to apply for licences, the software has malfunctioned,” she said.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for City Traffic Police said: “The Punjab government has ordered to register cases against those driving vehicles and motorcycles without a valid driving license, while the charges for the learner’s driving license are being increased from Rs50 to Rs1000 from January 1, 2024.”

He said it was the reason why an extraordinary number of citizens wanted to get a driving license immediately which resulted in the rush of people in the CTP office. “A little problem occurred in the driving license system yesterday which was quickly resolved by the experts,” he claimed and added that the driving licence seekers could avail 24-hour service in Rawalpindi.

“In light of the extraordinary rush of citizens, licenses will be issued on Sundays as well,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2023.