Punjab has decided to set the minimum driving age at 16 and further tighten the electronic challan system as part of a broader effort to improve traffic discipline and make roads safer. Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb announced that the new legal driving age in the province will be 16 years.
She stated that the electronic challan system will be made stricter in the coming months, while new road safety mechanisms are being activated to strengthen traffic management. She emphasized that there will be zero tolerance for traffic violations but added that a noticeable reduction in accidents will only be possible when people themselves adopt responsibility on the road.
Maryam Aurangzeb stressed that allowing underage children to drive is equivalent to risking their lives, as it endangers both the driver and the public. She warned that parents who allow minors to drive will face legal action, noting that every human life is precious. She also highlighted that real-time monitoring of all traffic violations has already begun, and the electronic challan system will become even more rigorous moving forward.
The senior minister further stated that Punjab is witnessing the toughest anti-narcotics operation in its history. She described the anti-drug campaign as not merely a government operation but a social mission aimed at protecting the youth. She added that the Chief Minister receives daily briefings to ensure efforts remain focused on safeguarding young people from drug networks. Surprise checks across schools, colleges, and universities have increased significantly to curb drug use.
She noted that the fight against drug mafias will continue without any concessions. Mapping of drug networks across the province has been completed, and surveillance drones are being used to identify hidden supply points. Many active groups have already been exposed, while the arrest of 111 long-range drug networks serves as clear evidence of the government’s determination.
