Entry of public transport, cargo vehicles sans fire extinguishers banned on motorways

ISLAMABAD: The Motorway Police have announced a strict new safety enforcement campaign requiring public transport and cargo vehicles to carry functional fire extinguishers in order to operate on national highways and motorways.

The initiative is part of a nationwide fire safety awareness campaign running until June 24, aimed at reducing the risk of vehicle fires during traffic accidents, a spokesperson for the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) said in a statement.

Following the June 24 deadline, authorities will enforce a strict ban prohibiting any public service or freight vehicles without functional fire extinguishers from entering the country’s motorway and highway network.

The spokesperson said that violators will face heavy legal penalties.

“The presence of an active fire extinguisher in vehicles is indispensable for the protection of life and property,” the spokesperson said, urging drivers to verify the expiration dates and functionality of their equipment before commencing journeys.

The NHMP emphasized that faulty or expired extinguishers will not be accepted during inspections.

Pakistan’s highways frequently see severe traffic accidents, often aggravated by vehicle fires due to poor maintenance, overheating, or the illegal transport of flammable materials.