On Friday, the Supreme Court overturned a four-year-old high court decision that had allowed heavy-bike riders to use the highways. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has banned heavy bikes to ride on the motorway. According to the official’s details, the supreme court made this decision under legislation to guarantee public safety.
Heavy Bikes Banned on Motorways:
As per the media report details, an appeal filed by the Ministry of Communications and the Inspector General (IG) of the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) against the decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued four years ago. And this appeal has heard by a three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood. The apex court stated that the authorities have adequately restricted motorcyclists under the legislation to ensure public safety. The supreme court issued a nine-page decision on the appeal. He ordered the improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for motorcycling on the highway.
Further, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar held that the ban on motorcycles under Section 45 of the National Highway Safety Ordinance (NHSO) 2000 (NHSO) is legal and does not violate any fundamental right to life or liberty. In addition, he observed that the provision has not challenged before the IHC on the grounds of being ultra vires (beyond the powers) of the Constitution or the NHSO.
What Could be the Reason?
According to the decree, the government may restrict the use of motor vehicles or any defined type of motor vehicle at a certain location or on a particular route for the safety or convenience of the general public. The court allowed the use of 600cc motorcycles on the highway. According to the terms and conditions, the National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) provided a card to the riders that would be canceled if the bike’s speed exceeded the allowed limits of 110 km/h or violates traffic rules. Moreover, bikers’ cards will cancel as a result of double riding, one-wheeling, and rash driving. In case of cancellation of the card, the biker cannot reapply before a period of six months.
