SC dismisses plea to suspend permission to drive heavy bikes on motorways

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed a plea seeking suspension of a verdict granting permission to drive heavy bikes on the motorways. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that motorcycles are driven on motorways across the world. The additional attorney general said that even Xinchi (motorcycle-rickshaw) can also be run on the motorway. On the appeal of the federal government, the court has issued notices to all parties. Later, the court adjourned the hearing for 10 years. On March 17, the National Highway and Motorways Police (NHMP) had allowed the heavy bikes on the Motorways till the verdict of the Supreme Court, a notification as well as terms and conditions for bikers have also been submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC). In December last year, the IHC ordered the NHMP to make arrangements for driving heavy bikes on Motorways as under existing laws all types bikes were prohibited on the Motorways. Inspector General NHMP in response to the court’s direction issued a notification and formulated the terms and conditions for heavy bikers on Motorways which was submitted to the IHC in compliance to the said order. As per the terms and conditions, NHMP will issue a card to the bikers which would be revoked if speed of bike would exceed 30km the prescribed limits of 110km or non-compliance of the traffic rules. A person less than 30 years of age will not be allowed, pillion riding, one wheeling and rash driving would also result in cancellation of the bikers card. In case a card is revoked, the biker cannot apply afresh before a six months time period. The bikers will not be allowed to drive on third or carriageway lane and in order to ensure maximum visibility, the bikers must keep the headlights on, use good reflectors on bike and they are also required to wear the jackets with visible reflection. NHMP has made it mandatory for the bikers to submit an undertaking in writing and duly attested and notarized on a stamp paper. The counsel for the bikers Baber Sattar during the course of hearing before IHC argued that many countries in the world have allowed heavy bikes on motorways. He pointed out that as per Motorway Ordinance 2000, there is no restriction on the entry of bikes on the motorways. According to the counsel, in 2011, heavy bikes were allowed on motorways for three years and not a single complaint was registered against the bikers. The NHMP on the other hand told the court that several bikers were fined and expressed apprehensions that in case of tyre burst there would be risk of fatal accidents on Motorways.