On July 7, 2025, a tragic accident in Shahdara, Lahore, caused by a 13-year-old driver named Hashir, killed one person and injured three others, prompting a Punjab-wide crackdown on underage driving.
Hashir, an unlicensed 13- to 14-year-old, lost control of a car near Sangeet Cinema on Shahdara’s Main Road, crashing into three motorcycles, killing 30-year-old Muhammad Amin and injuring three others. Eyewitnesses detained Hashir until police arrived, who arrested and charged him based on a complaint by Amin’s brother.
لاہور میں کم سن ڈرائیور نے گاڑی تلے متعدد افراد کو کچل دیا۔۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/ySkH2FyvA4
— Shafqat Ali (@ShafqatAli125) July 6, 2025Inspector General of Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, strongly condemns underage driving and directs law enforcement agencies to intensify crackdowns across Punjab. Authorities will impose fines, impound vehicles, and hold parents accountable for violations. Safe City cameras will bolster enforcement by identifying incidents of speeding and one-way traffic violations.
A 2023 Lahore High Court ruling prohibits police from detaining minors in lockups, which led to Hashir’s release on bail. Punjab’s new measures follow a tragic 2024 crash that claimed six lives, highlighting the persistent dangers of underage driving.
لاہور میں خوفناک حادثہ!
کم عمر ڈرائیور نے ایک نوجوان کی جان لے لی#92newshdplus #Shahdara #Accident #MinorDriver #Motorcyclist #Casualty #Lahore #92news pic.twitter.com/r3ODhsRo24
— 92 News HD Plus (@92newschannel) July 7, 2025Pakistan experiences approximately 7,000 road accident deaths each year, according to the World Health Organisation. These incidents are often attributed to lax enforcement of safety regulations. Recent collapses of buildings in Lyari have highlighted significant oversight failures, as reported by Dawn. Additionally, the issue of underage driving remains a persistent problem, with authorities issuing 1,200 fines in Lahore in 2024.
