Lahore traffic police order ride-hailing firms to submit driver records

Lahore's chief traffic officer has ordered every ride-hailing company operating in the city to hand over complete records of its drivers for police verification, and said drivers with serious criminal records will be stopped from working for the services.

Syed Abdul Rahim Sherazi issued the instruction at a meeting with representatives of the companies. TechJuice reported that the meeting covered passenger safety, driver verification and security technology, and that the CTO told those present the protection of citizens' lives and property was the top priority.

The companies have also been told to install dash cameras and tracking devices in their vehicles and to fit the QR-based panic button in every car and motorcycle as soon as possible. Firms that fail to meet the requirements face action, the CTO said.

More than 100,000 rickshaws, motorcycles and cars in Lahore are linked to online ride-hailing platforms. Traffic police have checked the criminal records of 10,000 commercial vehicle drivers so far. Of those, 2,050 had criminal records, with 3,700 cases registered against them in total.

UrduPoint reported that the police had asked the companies for data on more than 100,000 drivers, and that officials said drivers with serious crimes on their record would not be allowed to operate online cabs. The outlet said the aim was safer journeys for passengers, particularly women.

ProPakistani reported a separate measure, saying Lahore traffic wardens had been given access to criminal record databases so they could identify motorists with criminal histories.

Sherazi said cameras, tracking devices and other security features would allow effective monitoring of passengers and drivers, help prevent crime and assist investigations into road accidents and other incidents. The technology, he said, would give citizens, particularly women, safer and more reliable transport.