Traffic 'fining spree' draws flak

Drivers say penalty imposed even in legal parking zones

JARANWALA:

The Jaranwala traffic police have come under sharp criticism from citizens for allegedly misusing their authority by issuing excessive and, in some cases, unwarranted traffic fines — even in designated parking areas.

The move, widely perceived as a forced revenue-generation tactic, has sparked outrage and complaints of harassment.

According to sources, a citizen, Muaz Yousaf, lodged formal complaints with the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), the Prime Minister's portal, the Chief Minister of Punjab, and the Inspector General of Punjab Police. In his complaint, Yousaf recounted that he was waiting in his car for his family in the parking area near Ghanta Ghar Chowk when a traffic sub-inspector, accompanied by a constable and a car lifter, issued him a Rs2,000 fine.

Yousaf claimed that despite his vehicle being parked legally, the officers acted aggressively and demanded he summon the vehicle owner.

Upon his father's arrival, the situation escalated into a heated exchange, prompting his father to pay the fine out of fear of vehicle impoundment.

The officers allegedly admitted they were under pressure from the CTO Faisalabad to issue daily fine quotas to meet revenue targets.

In another incident, Muhammad Saeed, a shopper in Anarkali Bano Market, said he was standing beside his motorcycle when traffic police, accompanied by the municipal anti-encroachment squad, seized his vehicle despite his explanation that he was parked temporarily.

He was fined Rs3,000 and described the episode as "mental harassment."

A third citizen, Mahmood Ahmad, said he was fined for "vehicle smoke emission" while waiting with his car turned off outside Jhang Bazaar Cloth Market.

He accused the traffic police of issuing fines under false pretences and alleged the officers claimed that "no fines mean no salaries."

Senior journalist MK Farid also weighed in, stating that traffic wardens are now instructed to issue fines round-the-clock.

"Each warden is unofficially expected to issue 30 fines daily," he alleged, calling the practice an "absurd and condemnable revenue-generation policy." He added that monthly collections from fines are estimated to be around Rs40–50 million.

Farid criticised the policy as a misuse of authority, saying, "Law enforcement agencies are meant to serve the public, not treat them as revenue sources."

Traffic police spokesperson Muhammad Ismail stated that fines are issued only in specific markets such as Ghanta Ghar for violations including riding without helmets, emission violations, signal jumping, overloading, and vehicle light issues.