Motorways to be opened for heavy bikes above 660 cc by 15th December

[Mark-x]

According to the details, the court issued the orders earlier this year, which are yet to be implemented. The conditions for regulating the entry of motorbikes on motorways were issued by the Office of the Inspector General of Police (NH&MP) back on 1st March 2019. However, nothing has been done practically to allow heavy bikes on motorways. The condition of a valid biker card was made mandatory for anyone to enter motorways in this official notification. This card will be issued from the Drivers Licensing Authority of the NH&MP Islamabad. The bench of IHC issued a strict verdict regarding the implementation of the permission else it’s ready to initiate contempt of court proceeding against the IG of motorway police. The court also pointed out that there is no restriction on the entry of motorbikes on motorways as per the Motorway Ordinance 2000. Previously, the heavy bikes were allowed on motorways in 2011 for three years period. No complaints were registered against the motorbike riders during this period. However, NH&MP had its reservations as it believed that several incidents, including the tire burst, could result in fatal accidents on motorways.Apart from all the debate, IHC has now given a green signal to motorbikes over 660 cc engine capacity. According to our credible sources, only the motorbikes of the tax return filers will be allowed to enter the motorways, which means the door for the non-filers is still closed. In this regard, motorway police had earlier issued the conditions for regulating their entry on motorways. National Highways and Motorway Police, is empowered under Section 45 read with Section 90 of the National Highway Safety Ordinance 2000 to control, determine and regulate the type of permissible traffic at any given time keeping in view the road and weather conditions. The authority, therefore, under this permission, issued the following conditions for motorbike entry on motorways.The bikers’ community in the country wants the government to comply with the orders of the IHC within the allowed time. It’s certainly good news for them who have long been waiting for permission to be granted to them. However, the motorbike riders shall also comply with the conditions imposed by the government for entry on the motorway.  All the riders are advised to follow the specified rules to avoid any inconvenience of cancellation of the biker card and driving license. The motorway police shall also erect appropriate informatory signboards on the motorway for the general public.