Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday said there would be no compromise on enforcement of the Axle Load Control Regime (ALCR), announcing heavy fines for vehicles and factories found involved in overloading.
No compromise on axle load regime, heavy fines for violators: Aleem Khan
ISLAMABAD, Aug 28 (APP): Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday said there would be no compromise on enforcement of the Axle Load Control Regime (ALCR), announcing heavy fines for vehicles and factories found involved in overloading.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the axle load regime, the minister directed the relevant authorities to strengthen monitoring through artificial intelligence (AI), modern cameras and an automated weigh-station system.
The meeting was attended by Federal Secretary for Communications, Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA), Inspector General Motorway Police, and Director Generals of National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO), who provided briefings on relevant matters.
During the briefing, it was highlighted that overloading severely damages road infrastructure, with 30,000 axle load violations reported over the past six months. It was also shared that a state-of-the-art model weigh station of international standards in Sangjani will be completed soon.
Abdul Aleem Khan issued clear directives during the meeting, ordering necessary amendments to the NHA’s legal framework within one week to immediately eliminate legal and operational hurdles regarding the axle load regime. He instructed that transporters be provided clear guidance on vehicle body manufacturing and advised against installing unnecessary heavy decorative accessories that increase overall weight.
The minister firmly announced that fines will now be imposed not only on vehicle owners but also on factories identified for overloading trucks. He made it mandatory for 100 percent of freight vehicles to pass through weigh stations and directed the complete automation of the weigh station system.
He stated that shifting to an automated system would eliminate long queues and prevent lost time, while also ordering the establishment of weigh stations on GT Roads similar to those on motorways. The Minister emphasized installing modern cameras on motorways and establishing a system to track rule-breaking vehicles immediately using artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, the minister instructed the NHA, NLC, and FWO to adopt a joint strategy at Karachi Port and emphasized that planning must account for the needs of the next 20 years rather than just present conditions.
He announced his decision to personally visit 10 different locations across motorways to inspect the practical implementation of the axle load regime firsthand and ensure strict compliance with rules and regulations.
