The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) collected a record Rs. 15.4 billion in fines from January to November 2024, reflecting a significant increase in enforcement efforts. Under the Axle Load Control Regime, fines surged by 133%, reaching Rs. 4.26 billion, while over 13.3 million tickets were issued during the period.
These figures were shared during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, which reviewed the performance of the NHMP, Pakistan Post, the National Transport Research Center, and the Enemy Property Cell.
NHMP Performance and Modernization
The NHMP, responsible for regulating traffic and ensuring safety across 4,736 km of motorways and national highways, reported assisting over 1.6 million commuters this year. The department, which operates under the National Highway Safety Ordinance (NHSO) 2000, currently has 9,098 officers serving out of 15,607 sanctioned positions.
The NHMP’s Drivers Licensing Authority (DLA), which adheres to international standards, has issued over 144,000 licenses since its establishment in 2014. Modern initiatives such as e-ticketing, cashless payment systems, and vehicle tracking are being implemented to enhance operational efficiency and ensure safer travel for commuters.
Committee members commended the NHMP for its efforts in traffic management, commuter assistance, and the adoption of innovative technologies.
Pakistan Post’s Financial Challenges
The Committee was also informed about the financial struggles of Pakistan Post, which is generating an annual income of Rs. 9.2 billion against expenditures of Rs. 28 billion, resulting in a deficit of Rs. 18.8 billion.
Despite the challenges, Pakistan Post achieved 30.35% revenue growth in the fiscal year 2023-24. The department, with over 10,000 branches nationwide, continues to provide essential services such as domestic and international mail, remittance solutions, utility bill collections, and CNIC renewals.
Modernization efforts, supported by Korea’s EXIM Bank through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), include ICT upgrades, field automation with 1,000 motorcycles and mobile devices, and paperless mail transmission. These initiatives, expected to be completed by November 2026, aim to improve operational efficiency and service quality.
The Committee was informed that 5,816 posts had been abolished, resulting in savings of Rs. 560 million. A business plan has also been submitted to the government to facilitate the department’s growth.
Committee’s Directives
The Committee directed Pakistan Post to prepare a comparative analysis of its operations with two or three regional countries for the next meeting. Members also appreciated the NHMP’s efforts in ensuring road safety and modernizing its operations.
The meeting highlighted the contrasting performances of the two departments, with the NHMP showcasing strong enforcement and modernization, while Pakistan Post continues to grapple with financial challenges despite ongoing reforms.
