RAWALPINDI: Issuance and renewal of driving licences has been suspended for two months due to the spread of Covid-19, City Traffic Police announced on Wednesday.

“It is a national emergency, therefore, the issuance of all kinds of driving licences has been suspended,” Chief Traffic Officer Mazhar Iqbal told Dawn, adding:“All driving licences with an expiry date between the suspension period will be facilitated by the traffic police when the two-month closure of service will end.”

He said that the purpose of suspending licence procedures, training and renewal was to curb the spread of Covid-19.

On the other hand, the chief traffic officer has issued orders to inspector Traffic Headquarters to disinfect all traffic posts including Traffic Headquarters.

A spokesman for the traffic police said that CTO Rai Mazhar Iqbal has issued orders to all circle in-charges. On a daily basis, disinfectant should be sprayed in 18 traffic posts across the district, he has stated, adding all safety measures should be followed and duty masks should be worn.

In the ongoing war against coronavirus, traffic police personnel have been playing the role of front line soldiers, some of whom fell prey to the deadly virus.

They were taken care of by the police, he said, adding officials even donated blood after a citizen appealed on social media, asking for blood for his sick father.

Among those who reached the hospital to donate blood were Deputy Superintendent of Police Amir Mushtaq, DSP Faisal Bashir, Traffic Warden Kashif, Majid, Asghar, Hafeez, Talat, Yawar, Zafar, Rehan and Traffic Warden Shakeebal Hassan.

Mr Mazhar appreciated the passion of the traffic staff and said that Rawalpindi police was always ready to protect the lives and properties of people.

Donating blood can save a person’s life, he added. The CTO later distributed certificates of appreciation to the traffic staff for encouraging blood donation.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2021