The caretaker Punjab government has decided to have a whopping increase of 1600 per cent in the driving licence fee. New rates would be applicable from January 1, 2024.

The decision was taken by interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi while presiding over a cabinet meeting in Lahore.

The development comes couple of weeks after an underage driver had allegedly hit the car of a family in Lahore, resulting in the death of six passengers. The first information report of the accident was registered under sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 322 (punishment for qatl-bis-sabab), and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

In the same hearing, the Lahore CTO had highlighted the callous disregard for the law as told the court that according to the records, only 1.3 million motorists had licences – out of the 7.3 million cars.

From January 1, the fees for learner’s driving licence would be raised from Rs60 to Rs1,000.

The cabinet has decided that citizens living in America, Canada, and other countries would be able to make driving licence by paying $100 fee.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also decided that students would be able to transfer only from high grade merit to low grade merit medical and dental colleges.

It gave nod to release of funds to double the number of nursing students in the province and establishment of the management committee for the Institute of Public Health, Lahore.

In view of the historical importance of Jinnah Bagh, the cabinet has entrusted the administrative affairs to the Walled City Authority. The management of the historic Umar Mahal of Chiniot is also entrusted to the authority

The cabinet approved the reviewing the shooting licence and its fee under the Punjab Wildlife Rules, 1974. It also okayed the establishment of Potohar campus of the University of Punjab in Gujar Khan.