More than 2,000 commercial drivers found to have criminal records

LAHORE: A traffic police screening exercise has revealed that more than 2,000 commercial vehicle drivers in Lahore have criminal records, with 3,700 cases registered against them.

Officials said records of 10,000 commercial drivers were checked, identifying 2,050 individuals with criminal histories.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Abdul Raheem Shirazi has requested driver data from all online ride-hailing companies to improve passenger safety, particularly for women. The decision was taken during a meeting with representatives of online cab services.

The traffic police also plan to screen the records of more than 100,000 motorcycle, rickshaw and car drivers. Shirazi said drivers involved in serious offences would not be permitted to operate online cabs.

He further directed ride-hailing companies to install dashcams, tracking devices and QR-based panic buttons in their vehicles, warning that action would be taken against services that fail to meet the safety requirements.

According to the CTO, modern cameras and tracking systems would help prevent crime, monitor drivers and passengers, and assist investigations into road accidents.