Policing Traffic Crimes in Pakistan

The relationship of law and crime makes an interesting study. Criminologists focus on criminal behaviours of criminals in their studies, while the lawyers look at lawmaking and its impact on society. An interesting emerging study in this area will be the impact of the amendments made to traffic laws in Pakistan (in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh). On 25th November 2025, the Government of the Punjab amended the Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965, through the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Fourth Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 (the 2025 Ordinance). The 2025 Ordinance has introduced many an amendment and must be studied by the students of criminology and governance to see how the law affects the behaviour and response of society. For this, the instant write-up will highlight the legal amendments and will also briefly discuss the latest trend of use of technology in policing in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, the law related to traffic crimes was regulatory in nature. In 1965, the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965, (1965 Ordinance) was promulgated with the object of regulating the following:

a. Licensing of drivers;