The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has registered 496 criminal cases against traffic violators over the past two weeks, sparking concerns over the increasing use of First Information Reports (FIRs) for offenses that were traditionally addressed through monetary fines.

According to a report by Dawn, police officials revealed that most cases were registered under Section 279 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which relates to rash and negligent driving. Additional PPC provisions were also applied in certain cases depending on the nature of the violation.

Official figures show that 312 cases were registered for one-way driving, 102 for rash driving and speeding, 20 for lane violations, and 40 for driving without a valid license. Other cases involved one-wheeling, triple riding, riding without a helmet, red-light violations, wrong parking, and underage driving.

In total, 496 individuals were booked while operating 298 motorcycles, 54 cars, and 145 other vehicles.

Police officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the need for criminal cases in situations where fines and challans already exist under traffic laws. They noted that while offenses such as one-wheeling, speeding, and red-light violations are considered serious, many one-way driving violations occur due to road closures imposed for security reasons across the federal capital.

Officials pointed to closures on major routes, including Khayaban-i-Suhrwardy, Mohammad Tufail Niazi Road, and AK Brohi Road near Police Lines Headquarters, which often force motorists to take longer routes or inadvertently travel in the wrong direction.

The officers also highlighted concerns regarding the frequent closure of central lanes on key highways, including Srinagar Highway near the G-9 intersection, arguing that such measures can increase risks for motorists.

The issue has also drawn attention due to an October 2025 ruling by the Islamabad High Court, which cautioned against criminalizing minor traffic offenses. The court observed that registering criminal cases and impounding vehicles for offenses such as driving without a license could be disproportionate and inconsistent with citizens’ constitutional rights.

According to police officials, criminal records resulting from FIRs can have long-term consequences for individuals, potentially affecting employment opportunities, visa applications, and educational prospects.

Although offenses registered under Section 279 PPC are bailable, those booked are generally required to appear before a court to secure bail. The FIRs typically state that the accused endangered public safety and their own lives through violations of traffic regulations.

Some officers alleged that the increased registration of FIRs is being carried out under directives from senior officials as part of efforts to raise the overall FIR registration ratio.