Ordering an increase by up to 10 times in traffic fines to enhance public safety and bring discipline to the roads, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that the father of any underage driver caught in the province will be held responsible for allowing him to drive.
Chairing a meeting to review a proposal to change the traffic police uniform, she said, "A case will also be registered, and strict action will be taken against those driving with damaged or switched off headlights."
She lamented, "There is no improvement in the traffic system. Concrete and sustainable measures will have to be taken. I personally go out and review the traffic situation on different roads of the city. Effective measures taken before traffic accidents occur are the only success."
The chief minister said, "A vehicle will be stopped if a chain, etc. is hanging dangerously out of it."
She added, "A case will be registered against one-wheeling or dangerous driving."
She agreed to a proposal to ban parking of loaded trolleys, on the sides of major roads, besides imposing heavy fine for using mobile phones while driving.
She directed the authorities concerned to remove obstacles in the flow of traffic on the Bedian and other city roads.
She also directed the officials concerned to attach the video and photo evidence with the traffic challans.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the department to create five categories of traffic police -- enforcement officer, traffic regulator, education, licensing and public service officer.
She approved a proposal to provide modern patrol vehicles and latest equipment to the traffic police. She said traffic wardens would issue challans on camera for ensuring transparency.
The chief minister also considered remodelling of 372 points in the province, including 77 in Lahore for traffic flow.
She also directed the authorities to install roadside digital screens for early detection of traffic jams.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the country's biggest state-of-the-art cattle market in Shahpur Kanjran. She visited the model cattle market and reviewed the facilities.
She was informed in a briefing that the Shahpur Kanjran Model Cattle Market in Lahore will have the capacity to keep 25,000 large and 150,000 small animals, where 20 large sheds have been built to keep cattle. The market is spread over an area of 74 acres. Fans have also been installed in the animal sheds for the first time in the cattle market.
A quarantine centre has also been built in the model market to protect cattle from infectious diseases.
In addition, 20 large residential rooms have been built for cattle traders. The market will also have the facility of a mosque, washrooms, veterinary clinic, tuck shop and an ATM.
A loading and unloading bay and truck centre have been established for easy transportation of cattle. There is also a spacious parking lot, police post and a wide open area in the model cattle market.
An auction bay along with a modern slaughterhouse has also been established in the market.
Punjab's second largest model cattle market will be built in Jhang.
The chief minister also issued a statement, expressing grief over the loss of lives due to poisonous gas in a paper mill in Ferozewala. She expressed sympathies and condolence to the families of the deceased and directed the authorities concerned to provide the best medical facilities to the workers who suffered injuries in the incident, while also seeking a report in this regard.
She ordered strict implementation of work safety protocols in the factories and industrial zones.
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