Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday refused to issue an stay order against a single member bench’s decision to allow entry of 500CC heavy motorbikes into motorways.
A division bench of the IHC headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard an appeal filed against the decision of a single member bench to allow plying of heavy motorbikes on motorways.
The National Motorways and Highways Police have challenged the decision through an intra-court appeal.
Pleading the court to reverse the decision to allow the entry of heavy bikes into motorways, the police have urged the court to stay the permission granted by the single bench till the disposal of the petition.
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However, Justice Athar Minallah refused to issue an stay order against the decision, noting the court will issue an appropriate order on the petition on January 22.
He remarked that the Motorway Police should prepare an Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and give permit after its satisfaction about the compliance with the SOP.
He said that Inspector General NM@HP has now powers to impose a ban on entry of heavy motorbikes into the motorways.
The petitoner’s counsel, Baber Sattar, argued that many countries in the world have allowed heavy bikes on motorways. He pointed out that as per Motorway Ordinance 2000, there is no restriction on entry of bikes into the motorways.
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He added that in 2011 Motorway Police allowed heavy bikes on motorways, however, it reimposed the ban in 2014.
The Chief Justice noted that during the three years when heavy bokes were allowed to ply on motorways no accident was reported.
The Counsel of NM&HP told the bench that the police had imposed heavy fines on bikers for violations of traffic rules and regulations during the period. The record of the tickets issued to bikers has been submitted to the court, he added.
Upon this, the CJ said that the bikers were ready to hold out assurance they would comply the rules and regulations. The court adjourned further hearing of the case till January 22.
A single member bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had allowed 500CC heavy bikes to ply on motorways.
“an” stay? twice and “an” Standard?
Font size do not match in the whole manuscript. Where is Editorial Board?
They don’t have one. They are just youthiay nothing more.