The City Traffic Police in Murree have introduced new school bus safety rules, issued as standard operating procedures (SOPs), meaning official working rules for school transport. The main change is that fire extinguishers are now mandatory in every school vehicle, and those vehicles must undergo regular inspections. The rules also set passenger limits, bar some risky practices and allow legal action against transporters who break them. The decisions were taken at a meeting on Tuesday chaired by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Munir Ahmed Hashmi.
What the new SOPs require
A police spokesman said the meeting focused on preventing overloading and speeding, improving vehicle safety and transporting schoolchildren safely. Under the SOPs, carry vans and pickups may take no more than 12 primary-level children, 10 middle-school students and eight children above middle-school level. Transporters who exceed these limits will face legal action, and police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward overloading, speeding and overcharging.
Drivers are prohibited from carrying petrol in open containers inside school vehicles, and from smoking while driving. Police said the fire extinguisher is meant to help drivers respond immediately to emergencies.
Inspections and document checks
Authorities said about 40 school vehicles have been placed on the green list. They will verify the fitness certificates, route permits and other required documents of those vehicles. Teams from Traffic Police Murree and the neighbouring area of Kotli Sattian will inspect school transport two to three days a week to check vehicle safety and legal compliance.
The announcement does not say when the school bus safety rules take effect, or what penalties apply beyond legal action. It also does not say whether similar rules will apply outside Murree. Parents and transporters should watch for official notices on those points.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Murree mein school vehicles ke liye naye SOPs jari hue hain. Ab har school vehicle mein fire extinguisher lazmi hoga aur gaadiyon ki regular inspection hogi. Carry van aur pickup mein bachon ki tadad ki hadd tay kar di gayi hai, aur hadd se zyada bachay bithanay par qanooni karwai ho sakti hai. Parents ko samajhna chahiye ke ye qawaneen bachon ki safety ke liye hain.
