BAHAWALNAGAR:
Allegations of corruption, harassment and abuse of authority have surfaced against some traffic police officials in Bahawalnagar district, seriously undermining public trust and causing widespread concern among citizens.
Residents claim that large illegal sums are demanded for the issuance of driving licenses instead of official fees. According to the complainants, amounts up to Rs 6,000 would be charged for motorcycle and car licenses, while Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 would be demanded for LTV licenses, without receipts or legal documents.
Citizens further complain that traffic personnel at major intersections often resort to abusive language, threats and intimidation, while imposing heavy fines without providing clear reasons or issuing proper challans.
Many denounce discriminatory enforcement, saying action is mainly taken against motorcyclists, rickshaw drivers and owners of small vehicles, while drivers of expensive vehicles are rarely arrested. Owais Aslam, a resident of Manchanabad Chowk, alleged that after missing a signal due to traffic jams, he was verbally abused by officials.
He further claimed that a traffic policeman, identified as Ubaidullah, later seized his motorcycle after threatening him with an FIR.
The motorcycle was returned two days later.
Another citizen, Rizwan, claimed that despite having complete documents, he was detained for almost two hours and asked to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 without justification.
Other residents, including Alam Ali and Altaf, alleged that vehicles were seized for “illegal parking” even where there is no designated parking, with cash allegedly being collected on the spot instead of issuing challans.
Citizens and civil society representatives say written complaints have been submitted to DSP Traffic and DPO Bahawalnagar, but no visible departmental action has been taken so far, raising questions over accountability.
