Punjab CM Orders Leniency for Young Traffic Violators

Saudi Arabia Announces Fully Funded Internship Program With $1,000 Monthly Stipend – Apply Now!

Punjab CM Orders Leniency for Young Traffic Violators

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the Punjab traffic police to stop criminalising school and college students during the ongoing clampdown on traffic law violations. She showed displeasure over intellects of children being handcuffed, taken to courts, and treated like criminals. The CM has now strictly instructed authorities to halt harassing minors and ensure that no school-going or juvenile child is chained or detained again.

Quick Information Table for Punjab CM Orders Leniency for Young Traffic Violators

Program / Action	Start of Crackdown	Policy Change Announced	Main Relief / Assistance	Method / Instructions
Leniency Policy for Young Traffic Violators	Province-wide ongoing crackdown	CM orders issued (Real-time instruction)	No arrests or handcuffing of students; parents to be held responsible instead	Orders given to Punjab Traffic Police, implemented through official instructions

Why the Chief Minister Issued New Instructions

Reports from across Punjab revealed troubling scenes where young students were taken into custody for traffic violations. Videos circulating on social media aggravated public anger and raised serious questions about the treatment of minors.

Public Outcry Over Harsh Police Action

Parents, lawyers, and civil society strongly criticised the traffic police for arresting children for offenses like underage driving. Many argued that such actions could damage the students’ future because an FIR or criminal record could create obstacles when applying for jobs.

Courtroom Scenes That Triggered Action

On Monday, several district courts witnessed distressed parents trying to secure bail for their children. Lawyers outside the courts demanded softer disciplinary measures instead of criminal charges, stressing that students should not be “criminalised” for traffic mistakes.

More Read: NAVTTC Free Courses 2025

New CM Policy — No Arrests, No Handcuffs for Students

After reviewing the situation,Punjab CM Orders Leniency for Young Traffic Violators ordered an immediate stop to the arrest of minors. She made it clear that school and college students should not be treated as criminals.

Parents to Be Held Responsible Instead

Following the CM’s directive, Additional IG Traffic Punjab Waqas Nazeer issued new orders to all officers across the province. These instructions include:

No child or student should be arrested during traffic crackdowns
No handcuffing of minors
Action will be taken against parents or guardians who allow underage children to drive
Responsibility shifts from the child to the adult providing the vehicle

This shift aims to control violations effectively without harming the future of young students.

Concerns Raised by Critics

Some critics compared the harsh crackdown with the government’s youth-supportive creativities like the laptop scheme. They argued that while one initiative authorizes students, the other could forever damage their confidence and records.

Impact of Criminal Record on Students

Parents were most concerned about criminal records affecting their children’s futures. Even a single FIR could create hurdles in employment or academic opportunities later in life, which is why the CM’s intervention was widely welcomed.

More Read: 16-Year-Olds in Punjab to Get Motorcycle Licenses

Crackdown on Traffic Violations Continues for Adults

While leniency has been introduced for underage violators, the crackdown is still active for adults, including government personnel.

Action Against Police Officials for Violating Rules

The City Traffic Police Lahore reported strict action against police officials themselves.
In the last 72 hours:

149 motorbikes and vehicles belonging to police officers were impounded
All were released only after officers paid their outstanding e-challan fines

This shows that the crackdown is not limited to civilians and applies to all.

Conclusion

The Punjab CM Orders Leniency for Young Traffic Violators aims to protect young students from long-term harm while ensuring responsible driving practices. By shifting the responsibility to parents and upholding strict action contrary to adult violators, the government has attempted to balance discipline with justice. The new policy provides relief to families and ensures that students are not subjected to criminal proceedings for traffic errors.