Licensed to arrest

SIALKOT: Regional police officer (RPO) Gujranwala Tariq Masud Yaseen has directed all district police officers (DPOs) to launch a vigorous drive against vehicles including motorcycles without registration number plates.

The RPO also said that vehicles with plates that did not match with the prescribed samples in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahaud Din and Hafizabad would also be confiscated. “Not only is driving without a number plate illegal, it makes it impossible for the police to keep a check on people. Given the need for tightening up overall security, we need to be able to trace all vehicles if the need arises,” Yaseen said.

He also directed the police officials, traffic police and wardens to strictly monitor the use of other vehicles without number plates that were on the roads. Yaseen warned that stern legal action would be taken against those who violated traffic laws.

“Vehicles without number plates are a major cause behind the increasing number of crimes in the region,” the RPO said, adding that the growing number of illegal vehicles made it extremely hard to catch criminals in the district. He urged the people to acquire registration plates for their motorcycles and other vehicles as soon as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2010.