Motorway Police Make Seatbelts Mandatory for All Public Transport Passengers

The National Highways and Motorways Police (NHMP) has announced that wearing seatbelts is now compulsory for all passengers traveling on motorways across Pakistan, including those in buses, coaches, and wagons. Authorities have confirmed that “strict enforcement will follow,” and any passenger failing to comply with the rule will face fines.

Under the new regulation, public transport vehicles will not be permitted on motorways unless every seat is equipped with a seatbelt. According to NHMP, the decision is intended to minimize injuries and fatalities in road accidents while aligning local travel safety standards with international protocols.

This development comes shortly after motorway travel became more expensive from June 15, following revised toll taxes introduced by the National Highway Authority (NHA). A 50% surcharge now applies to vehicles without M-Tags or with insufficient balance.

The new toll rates are as follows: Islamabad to Lahore (M-2) — Rs 1,800, Lahore to Abdul Hakim (M-3) — Rs 1,200, and Pindi Bhattiyan to Multan (M-4) — Rs 1,600. The NHA stated that the revision was necessary to offset rising operational and maintenance costs of the motorway network and to encourage the use of the M-Tag electronic toll collection system.

Travelers are advised to ensure their M-Tags are active and sufficiently funded before entering the motorway to avoid penalties and additional charges.