Audit Questions Islamabad Transport Authority Over 7 Illegal Bus Stands
Report says seven of the capital's 17 operational bus stands lack licences, while several allegedly fail to meet mandatory land requirements under transport rules.
ISLAMABAD: An official audit has raised questions over the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) after finding that seven bus stands in the federal capital are operating without legal licences, while several others were allegedly allowed to function despite not meeting the minimum land requirement prescribed under the law.
According to the audit report, the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969 require a minimum of four kanals of land for the licensing of a D-Class bus stand. However, the audit observed that the Islamabad Transport Authority permitted bus stands on plots smaller than the required size, resulting in congestion, inadequate passenger facilities and violations of regulatory standards.
Audit Findings
The report states that:
- 17 bus stands are currently operational in Islamabad.
- Only 10 have been licensed under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965.
- Seven bus stands are operating without any valid permit.
The audit further noted that allowing bus stands to operate without fulfilling legal requirements reflects weak regulatory oversight and raises concerns about enforcement of transport regulations in the capital.
Administration’s Response
According to the administration’s response included in the audit, operations were launched against illegal bus stands in 2014 and 2018. However, the operators later obtained stay orders from the Islamabad High Court, limiting further enforcement action.
The report added that the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) has directed that the matter be referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for further examination and necessary action.
