16-Year-Olds in Punjab to Get Motorcycle Licenses

The Punjab chief minister’s office announced that the provincial government has, in principle, decided to issue motorcycle licenses and smart cards to 16-year-olds.

The decision follows days of public backlash over a province-wide traffic crackdown that resulted in more than 4,600 cases and nearly 3,100 arrests within 72 hours, many involving schoolchildren.

Parents sharply criticized the campaign, accusing authorities of creating criminal records for minors and warning that the move could damage their futures. They described the arrests as unnecessary and disproportionate.

According to the chief minister’s office, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed strong displeasure over minors being handcuffed for traffic violations. The statement said the government will now begin issuing motorcycle licenses and smart cards to 16-year-old motorists, and traffic police across Punjab will hold an awareness week focusing on students and young riders.

Under the revised approach, first-time offenders who fail to wear helmets will receive warnings instead of fines. Traffic police will also use drones and body cameras for the first time to monitor violations and improve enforcement transparency.

CM Maryam Nawaz stressed that parents must take greater responsibility for teaching their children traffic rules and road safety. She said the goal is not to arrest minors but to ensure that they follow the law. The chief minister added that the real issue lies in the lack of proper guidance, noting that many children were never taught the importance of wearing helmets.