The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior has approved an amendment to the Pakistan Penal Code that makes deaths caused by reckless driving a non-bailable offense under Section 320.
The decision comes amid rising public concern over deadly traffic accidents, particularly in Islamabad. The amendment means drivers involved in fatal crashes due to negligent driving will no longer be eligible for bail.
The proposal, part of the Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2024, was introduced by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui. It was passed unanimously during a session chaired by Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz.
Faruqui argued that the current legal framework allows bail even in cases involving loss of life, which undermines justice for victims. “Last year, 128 people died in road accidents in Islamabad alone,” she told the committee. “In one instance, a woman caused a fatal crash and was acquitted. That shows how urgently reform is needed.”
The Law Ministry backed the amendment, which aims to increase accountability for drivers whose actions result in death. The bill’s passage in the committee marks the first step toward formally enacting the change.
Once the amendment clears all legislative stages, it will introduce tougher consequences for reckless driving that results in fatalities.
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Won’t work . Most reckless drivers are rich
Please note this law will not apply on elite.
Who will determine what qualifies as ‘reckless driving’ ? In a recent incident in Karachi two motorcyclists were driving recklessly collided with each other and one was thrown into the path of an oncoming car driven within the lane and at a safe speed resulting in his death. Despite not being at fault the car driver was arrested when clearly he/she was not at fault. Our system operates on an unwritten rule where the larger vehicle is automatically blamed regardless of who caused the accident.