Lahore Traffic Police has ordered a strict crackdown on unsafe school transport across the city, aiming to eliminate dangerous practices that endanger children daily. Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Syed Mustansar has directed field officers to take zero tolerance toward widespread violations, including severe vehicle overloading and the illegal installation of domestic or substandard gas cylinders in vans and rickshaws.

Targeting Overloading and Gas Cylinders

Parents across Lahore have long raised alarms over private transport operators packing dozens of children into rickshaws and dilapidated Suzuki vans meant for far fewer passengers. Beyond simple crowding, many of these vehicles rely on compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders that lack safety certifications or are dangerously close to seated children. The ongoing unsafe school transport campaign will specifically target these hidden hazards, seizing vehicles that fail basic safety compliance checks.

What Traffic Police Are Checking

Field wardens have been instructed to pull over vehicles carrying students during morning and afternoon school rush hours. If you hire private transport for your children, expect your driver to face inspections on several fronts:

  • Passenger capacity limits against vehicle registration papers
  • Presence of certified, approved gas cylinder kits rather than raw domestic cylinders
  • Valid route permits, fitness certificates, and driver license verification
  • Proper seating arrangements instead of makeshift wooden benches blocking emergency exits

What You Should Do As a Parent

If your children commute via private vans or rickshaws, you cannot afford to wait for a fine to hit your driver. Verify your driver's cylinder setup immediately and ensure they are not stuffing extra children into the back just to maximize daily fares. Ask to see their vehicle fitness papers, and report any blatantly dangerous operators to the Lahore Traffic Police helpline or local traffic wardens.

What to Watch Next

Expect an escalation in heavy fines, vehicle impoundments, and court referrals for repeat offenders over the coming weeks. School administrations are also being urged to coordinate with transport associations to establish standardized, safer van pools before authorities expand the dragnet to every neighborhood school gate.