ISLAMABAD: The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has pointed out that the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) made a disproportionate increase in driving licence fees and recommended that the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration review and rationalise the revised fee structure.
According to the audit report, the Islamabad Traffic Police, with reference to a letter issued by the Chief Commissioner Islamabad Office on May 13, 2024, amended Rule 26 of the Pakistan Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969, and revised driving licence fees with effect from May 2024.
The audit observed that the revised fee structure reflected abnormally high increases ranging from 100pc to 733.33pc over the rates notified in 2018. A comparison with the National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) also showed that ITP fees were 200pc to 700pc higher for identical services. The report said the increases were excessive and disproportionate, with no documented costbased justification.
According to the audit, the increase placed an undue financial burden on the public by compelling citizens topay excessive charges for obtaining a statutory document.
It said the primary mandate of the traffic police was to regulate traffic, ensure road safety and facilitate citizens, while the issuance of licences was a regulatory function and not a revenue-generating activity.
The report added that the role of the state and its institutions was fundamentally welfare-oriented and not to generate revenue through disproportionate fee increases.
The audit further observed that the substantial increase in licence fees was inconsistent with the principles of reasonableness, equity and public facilitation, and could undermine public trust in governance.
It said the absence of a rational basis or affordability analysis further weakened the justification for the revision.
The management did not respond until the finalisation of the report.
The audit recommended that the ICT government review and rationalise the revised driving licence fee structure, align it with actual service delivery costs and comparable organisations such as the NH&MP and other provinces, and ensure that future revisions are reasonable, proportionate and consistent with the state’s welfare mandate.