Punjab traffic wardens to keep grey-and-black uniforms

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to retain the existing uniform of the province's traffic wardens, halting a costly redesign plan that had been under consideration for several months.

Traffic police officials said the chief minister personally reviewed both the proposed and existing uniform designs during a detailed presentation this week.

After evaluating the options, she instructed authorities to continue using the current grey-and-black uniform and proceed with fresh procurements under the same design.

A senior official told The Express Tribune that the Punjab government had earlier approved a proposal to replace the uniform with a fawn-colored version. "However, the change would have cost around Rs140 million, while retaining the current uniform will cost approximately Rs80 million - saving nearly Rs60 million," the official added.

The traffic department has now initiated a procurement drive for nearly 14,000 new uniforms and accessories for wardens across Lahore and other districts.

The Rs80 million procurement will soon be advertised through a tender notice.

Officials noted that the chief minister's decision not only ensures financial prudence but also preserves the recognisable identity of the traffic warden force.

"The existing uniform has become a symbol of discipline and visibility on the roads," an officer remarked.

The Punjab government expects to finalise the pre-qualification and procurement process in the coming weeks, after which the new uniforms - based on the current design - will be distributed provincewide.