Mirpur – Commissioner Mirpur Division, Chaudhry Mukhtar Hussain, has directed authorities to improve the quality of public transport services across the division. He emphasized strict enforcement of traffic laws and called for urgent measures to ensure vehicle fitness, valid route permits, driver licenses, and adequate facilities such as seating and restrooms at bus terminals.

Presiding over a high-level meeting aimed at enhancing the standard of public transport, Commissioner Chaudhar Mukhtar Hussain stressed the replacement of old, unfit vehicles with new, roadworthy ones. He urged consultations with transporters to improve service delivery and enforce compliance with assigned routes. “Vehicles operating on accident-prone routes must be replaced with modern and safe alternatives,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Yasir Riaz, Assistant Commissioner Raja Zahid Hussain, DSP Traffic Shehzad Sarwar, Tehsildar Chaudhry Imran Yousaf, District Information Officer Muhammad Javed Malik, DTI Roheel Shoukat, Secretary Regional Transport Authority Adeel Nawaz, and others. Deputy Commissioners of Kotli and Bhimber, Major (R) Nasir Rafiq and Chaudhry Haq Nawaz respectively, participated via video link.

Commissioner Chaudhary Mukhtar Hussain further stated that all public transport services operating between Mirpur, Kotli, Bhimber, and Punjab must be upgraded. “Fares are fixed for standard transport services, but often, the vehicles in use are subpar,” he noted, adding that some vehicles exceed their approved passenger seating capacity, and the behavior of drivers and conductors with passengers is often unacceptable.

He instructed officials to promptly address passenger complaints and take strict action against vehicles violating seating regulations. Transporters must be engaged to facilitate the replacement of obsolete vehicles, and no excuse will be accepted in this regard. “Ensuring passenger safety and providing lawful, quality travel facilities is the administration’s responsibility,” he asserted.

The Commissioner also directed the traffic police to thoroughly inspect all vehicles on public routes and ensure they comply with regulations. Deputy Commissioners were instructed to enhance the quality of public transport in their respective districts to restore public confidence in government institutions.