The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) has announced strict new fire safety regulations, making functional fire extinguishers mandatory for all commuters using national highways and motorways.
Under the new directive, which comes into full legal effect after 24 June, any cargo, public service or private vehicle, including SUVs and standard motor cars, found without an active extinguisher will face severe legal penalties.
The authorities have also explicitly stated that public transport and commercial freight vehicles lacking the safety apparatus will be barred entirely from entering the motorway network.
Senior NHMP officials acknowledged that while maintaining fire cylinders may be a new requirement for private car owners, the measure is crucial for preventing catastrophic fire hazards during traffic accidents.
Drivers have been strictly instructed to ensure that their equipment is customised for vehicular use, properly fitted and within its expiry date. Expired or malfunctioning units will not be accepted by inspecting officers during road checks.
The enforcement surge follows a tragic accident on the Islamabad-Murree Expressway near Khajut just a week ago, in which 10 passengers were killed and 13 others injured when a van plunged into a nullah and caught fire.
Beyond individual vehicle safety, authorities noted that carrying operational extinguishers allows commuters to provide immediate assistance to other vehicles in distress on the road.
Furthermore, transport operators have been directed to ensure that the rear doors of all buses are maintained as functional fire exits. To facilitate a smooth transition, the NHMP is executing a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate drivers before formal enforcement begins.
