Motorway police told not to check marriage certificates

Motorway police told not to check marriage certificates

Senate Standing Committee on Communications Chairman Senator Pervez Rashid has directed the Motorway Police not to check citizens’ marriage certificates, stressing that the force must maintain its professional reputation.

During a committee meeting chaired by Rashid, Senator Saifullah Abro questioned the inclusion of senators’ names in a Motorway Police handout related to a seizure operation. He asked how the police determined that the recovered goods belonged to specific senators.

Abro said no individual’s personal actions should be linked to the Senate or its committees. He demanded a clear explanation if any government institution had officially released the names.

The IG Motorway Police said the department’s responsibility was to take action based on available information and not comment on individuals or institutions.

Rashid questioned the authority under which the Motorway Police checked citizens’ marriage certificates and urged the department to avoid such practices in the future.

The meeting also discussed delays in National Highway Authority (NHA) development projects and the allocation of funds. Senator Zameer Ghumro called for the completion of existing projects before launching new ones, while officials said the government was prioritising ongoing schemes.

Senator Abdul Qadir raised concerns over delays in releasing funds, saying projects sometimes remain stalled for months. The committee also proposed inviting Planning Commission officials to a future meeting.

The committee further discussed a motorway incident under investigation. The IG Motorway Police said officials checked a vehicle in a parking zone and that the inquiry would be presented to the committee after completion.

On the seizure of smuggled cigarettes near Chakri, the IG said the Motorway Police conducts operations based on intelligence and information provided by Customs authorities.

Officials from the Ministry of Communications also told the committee that the government provides loans to the NHA rather than direct funding. They said the NHA’s outstanding debt has reached around Rs3.7 trillion and the authority pays interest on the loans.