A story recounts how an overspeeding Mercedes driver allegedly received what is described as Pakistan motorway’s first traffic challan shortly after the M-2 motorway opened.
The Islamabad-Lahore Motorway had only recently opened in 1997 when an incident reportedly took place that is remembered as the first traffic challan issued on Pakistan’s motorway network.
According to the account, a Pakistani resident returning from the United Kingdom purchased a new Mercedes in Lahore and began his journey towards Islamabad. After entering the motorway from Ravi Toll Plaza, he accelerated the vehicle to speeds between 220 and 240 kilometres per hour to test both the car’s performance and the newly constructed motorway.
The speeding vehicle reportedly passed the Sheikhupura Interchange before a Motorway Police patrol could catch up. A wireless message was then sent to officials at Pindi Bhattian Interchange, where barriers and police vehicles were positioned across the motorway, forcing the driver to stop.
After greeting the driver, Motorway Police informed him that he had been driving far above the speed limit and would be issued a challan. The driver reportedly accepted the violation and requested an immediate payment receipt so he could continue his journey.
The account states that officials faced difficulty because there was no immediate mechanism for collecting the fine on the spot. The matter was eventually referred to the Assistant Commissioner of Pindi Bhattian, who reportedly prepared the receipt, accepted the payment, and resolved the issue. After completing the formalities and sharing tea with the officials, the driver continued his journey towards Islamabad.
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