A startling case of administrative negligence has come to light at the Punjab Traffic Police Driving Licence Branch in Multan, where a man was issued a driving licence displaying a woman’s photograph instead of his own. The incident has raised concerns about accountability, record-keeping, and data handling within the licensing system.
The affected citizen, Asghar Sawal, applied for his driving licence in Multan in 2025 after completing the required training and successfully passing the driving test.
He paid Rs7,000 for the process, expecting a smooth issuance of his official document. However, upon receiving the licence, Asghar was shocked to find that it bore the photograph of an unrelated woman.
Residing in Karachi for work, Asghar expressed frustration over the difficulty of traveling back to Multan to resolve the issue.
When he contacted the licence branch for correction, officials reportedly refused to acknowledge the mistake and instead demanded Rs650 for the amendment, warning that the process could take up to four months. Asghar emphasized that the error was clearly on the department’s part and that such delays and charges were unjustified.
A driving licence serves as an official identity document, and errors of this nature can create legal and practical complications during traffic checks, travel, or identity verification.
The incident has sparked public concern over the integrity and reliability of the Punjab Traffic Police’s licensing system, raising questions about whether similar mistakes may be affecting other citizens.
Asghar has appealed to the Inspector General of Punjab Police to intervene personally, urging an immediate correction without additional charges. Authorities have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the matter.
The case highlights the need for stricter oversight, accountability, and improved data management at licensing offices to prevent administrative errors that can have serious consequences for citizens relying on official documents for identification and legal compliance.
