LHC reserves verdict on plea against helmet law

By Abid Butt

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court chief justice on Thursday reserved verdict on a petition challenging the enforcement of a new law that came into effect on March 1 making it compulsory for motorcyclists to wear helmets.

However, the chief justice said that he would pass a few directions to the government in the light of problems published in the press and material produced by the petitioner.

While hearing MD Tahir’s petition, the chief justice said the government had adopted the new law for the safety of the public, but the implementation of the law remained short of what was required. He also said that courts could not declare a law illegal merely on the basis of speculation that it could have a negative impact. The petitioner said that no notification was passed to impose the condition of wearing helmets compulsorily and merely a letter was issued for the implementation that had no value under the law. He said that helmets were dangerous for heart and high blood-pressure patients.

The petitioner said that the government was emphasising wearing helmets but was ignoring the implementation of other laws concerning speeding and one-wheeling which were equally meant for the public welfare. Tahir said that the unchecked rise in the price of helmets indicated that the new law was meant to benefit importers, manufacturers or sellers.

Home | National