In a significant legal move, a group of traffic wardens from Lahore has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) to challenge controversial orders issued by the City Traffic Officer (CTO). The wardens contend that directives mandating them to issue a specific number of traffic fines daily are not only unlawful but also constitute harassment.
The Core of the Legal Petition
The petition, filed through their counsel Advocate Nadeem Sarwar, names the Punjab government, the Lahore CTO, and other relevant officials as respondents. At the heart of the dispute are official orders that allegedly compel traffic wardens to penalize a minimum number of vehicles each day. The wardens argue that this system essentially imposes a "revenue collection target" disguised as a regulatory duty, which has no basis in the law governing traffic enforcement.
According to the petition, these orders create an untenable situation for the wardens on the ground. They are forced to either harass citizens to meet unrealistic quotas or face departmental punishment and humiliation for failing to do so. The legal challenge asserts that such practices violate the fundamental rights of both the traffic wardens, who face undue pressure, and the citizens of Lahore, who may be fined without legitimate cause.
Allegations of Pressure and Unlawful Practices
The petition provides detailed allegations of the working environment under these quotas. It claims that wardens are under constant threat of disciplinary action, transfers to undesirable postings, and withholding of salaries if they do not comply with the daily fine requirements. This pressure, the wardens state, forces them to engage in practices that are contrary to the spirit of their duty to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety.
Instead of focusing on genuine traffic violations, wardens are allegedly pushed to penalize motorists for minor or even fabricated infractions to fulfill their assigned numbers. The petition emphasizes that the primary role of traffic police is to enforce laws for safety and order, not to act as revenue-generating agents for the department based on arbitrary numerical targets.
Seeking Legal Redress and Justice
The petitioners have requested the Lahore High Court to take immediate action. They seek a judicial declaration that the CTO's orders for daily fine quotas are illegal, without legal authority, and unconstitutional. Furthermore, they have asked the court to issue an injunction restraining the CTO and other officials from taking any coercive action against wardens who fail to meet these alleged quotas.
This case highlights a long-standing grievance within traffic police forces in various cities. The outcome of this petition could set a crucial precedent for how traffic enforcement is managed across Pakistan, determining whether performance is measured by public service and safety compliance or by monetary penalties collected. The court's decision is now awaited, as it will significantly impact the working conditions of hundreds of wardens and the daily experience of millions of Lahore's commuters.
