Government Targets Rising Motorway Fence Theft
The federal government is preparing new legal measures to clamp down on the removal, damage and theft of fencing and other infrastructure along Pakistan’s motorways. Officials say the move comes in response to growing safety and security concerns, as repeated incidents of missing or damaged fencing have been reported on several key routes.
According to official sources, the decision follows clear directions from the prime minister, who ordered a detailed inquiry into the problem. A committee led by the federal minister for communications was formed to identify how and where fencing and related equipment had gone missing, and to recommend ways to prevent further losses. After reviewing the committee’s findings, the prime minister instructed the Communications Division to work with the Law and Justice Division on tougher punishments and tighter enforcement.
Why Motorway Fencing and IT Systems Matter
Motorway fencing is not just a cosmetic feature; it plays a critical role in keeping high-speed roads safe. Properly installed and maintained fencing helps prevent animals, pedestrians and slow-moving vehicles from entering fast lanes where traffic is travelling at 100 km/h or more. When fencing is cut, removed or poorly maintained, the chances of serious or even fatal accidents increase sharply.
In addition to physical barriers, modern motorways depend heavily on IT systems such as cameras, sensors, communication equipment and control-room infrastructure.
These systems help monitor traffic flow, detect accidents quickly and manage emergency responses. The theft or vandalism of cables, cameras and other devices not only creates blind spots for authorities but also exposes road users to higher risks and weakens overall security along the corridor.
Proposed Legal Changes to Criminal Laws
To address the problem, the Ministry of Communications, working in consultation with the Law and Justice Division, the National Highway Authority (NHA), the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) and other stakeholders, has prepared a set of legal proposals.
The idea is to introduce new sections in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and make related amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
By doing so, offences involving motorway fencing and IT equipment would be categorised as more serious crimes than ordinary theft or damage to property. Stronger provisions could include higher fines, longer prison terms and clearer definitions of what constitutes tampering, removal or destruction of safety-related infrastructure. The aim is to send a clear deterrent message that stealing or damaging motorway assets is not a minor offence but a high-risk crime with strict consequences.
Debate over Which Law Should Be Amended
While key stakeholders broadly endorsed the draft bill, there is still a debate over the best legal route to implement the changes.
The Cabinet Committee for the Disposal of Legislative Cases reviewed the proposals and raised questions on whether such offences should be tackled entirely through existing criminal laws like the PPC and CrPC, or whether it would be more appropriate to use the National Highways Act.
Supporters of the PPC and CrPC route argue that it ensures uniform treatment of similar offences across the country and makes it easier for police and courts to apply the law.
Those in favour of using or amending the National Highways Act point out that motorway-related crimes are highly specialised and may require dedicated provisions that reflect the unique risks of high-speed road corridors. Because of these differing views, the committee deferred final approval and asked the ministries to hold further consultations and then resubmit a refined draft.
What Stricter Punishments Could Mean for the Public
For ordinary road users, stricter laws against motorway fence and equipment theft are ultimately about safety and reliability. Officials say that increased theft and damage have already led to more frequent intrusions by animals and pedestrians, raising the risk of pile-ups, fatal crashes and security breaches. Better protection of IT systems can also ensure faster incident detection, smoother traffic management and stronger crime monitoring along motorways.
If the proposed reforms are finalised and effectively enforced, they could discourage organised groups and individuals from targeting motorway assets, reduce repair costs for the state and make long-distance travel safer.
However, experts also stress that legal changes must be backed by stronger on-ground vigilance, better maintenance routines, community awareness and swift prosecution to truly change behaviour.
For now, the draft bill remains under review, but the direction is clear: the government wants to treat attacks on motorway fencing and IT infrastructure as serious offences, not minor damage, in order to protect both people and critical transport infrastructure across Pakistan.
