Vehicles without fire extinguishers to face action on motorways after June 24

The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) has made it mandatory for all vehicles, particularly passenger and cargo vehicles, to carry a functional fire extinguisher as part of enhanced road safety measures aimed at preventing fire-related incidents.

According to an NHMP statement issued on Wednesday, the new requirement has been introduced to minimise fire hazards during road accidents and emergencies.

The motorway police said that after June 24, strict legal action would be taken against vehicles found without a working fire extinguisher. It added that cargo vehicles and public service transport lacking the safety equipment would not be allowed to enter motorways and national highways.

The NHMP has also launched a nationwide fire safety awareness campaign, which will continue until June 24 to educate motorists about the new regulations and the importance of fire prevention.

Authorities urged drivers to ensure that the fire extinguishers carried in their vehicles are functional and within their validity period. Expired or defective extinguishers will not be considered compliant with the new safety requirements.

The announcement comes days after a tragic accident on the Islamabad-Murree Expressway near Khajut, where a passenger van caught fire after plunging into a nullah while negotiating a turn. The incident left at least 10 people dead and 13 others injured.