Karachi, one of Pakistan’s largest and busiest cities, has witnessed a significant decline in the number of permanent driving licences issued in 2024. According to recent figures from the Driving Licence Branch, only 280,943 permanent driving licences were issued this year, showing a sharp drop of 22,084 licences compared to the previous year. In 2023, 330,027 citizens obtained permanent licences, highlighting a noticeable shift in the trend.
The decline in permanent driving licences raises several questions about the reasons behind this trend. Despite the decrease in permanent licences, there was a marginal increase in the issuance of learner’s licences, with 285,384 learner licences issued in 2024, compared to 282,385 in 2023. This suggests that while fewer people are obtaining permanent driving licences, there is still an interest in learning to drive. It is worth noting that while learner licences have seen a slight rise, the overall decrease in permanent licences indicates a reluctance or delay in converting learner permits into permanent licences.
In addition to the decrease in permanent licences, there has been an increase in the issuance of international driving permits. The number of international driving permits issued in 2024 rose from 22,813 to 26,553, reflecting a growing need for citizens to drive abroad, either for work or travel purposes.
In response to these shifts, the Sindh government has made several significant improvements to the licensing system in Karachi and across the province. The Driving Licence Branches have been equipped with CCTV cameras to monitor and ensure transparency, making the process more secure and less prone to corruption. Moreover, the system has been modernized to offer online services, allowing Pakistani citizens worldwide to apply for learner licences and renew existing ones from the comfort of their homes.
Previously limited to Karachi’s Clifton branch, international driving permits are now being issued across Sindh, making this service more accessible to people in other regions. These improvements aim to make the process more efficient and convenient, yet it seems that the drop in permanent licences reflects broader societal or economic concerns that might need further attention.
In an attempt to tackle the disinterest in obtaining driving licences, the government has introduced stricter measures, including warnings of vehicle confiscation for unlicensed drivers. This policy has led to an extraordinary rush at licensing offices, with the number of applicants doubling within a week. Despite these efforts, it remains unclear whether this will lead to a long-term increase in licence acquisition or if the trend of declining permanent licences will continue.
DIG Iqbal Dara, in charge of the Driving Licence Branches, emphasized the importance of citizens embracing the newly modernized and corruption-free system to improve traffic safety. The goal is to ensure that more people comply with legal requirements, reducing road accidents and ensuring safer roads for all.
In conclusion, while the overall number of driving licences issued in Karachi has seen a decline, the growing popularity of learner and international driving licences shows that citizens are still interested in obtaining driving credentials, albeit at a slower pace. The modernization of the system and the strict new measures may help address the concerns surrounding the decline in permanent licences and encourage more people to follow the proper legal processes.
0 Comments