Muhammad Asif, 18, never thought his passion for riding a motorcycle and doing acrobats, including one-wheeling, would end him in a lock up.
“I never thought that my greatest passion would become one of the biggest regrets of my life,” he said while speaking to Pakistan Today from the lockup of Muslim Town Police Station on Friday. “I will never do it again,” he vowed.
Asif is one of the 12 people who were arrested by the Muslim Town Police for one-wheeling on city roads.
The City Traffic Police (CTP) in collaboration with Capital City Police kicked off a crackdown against one-wheeling and rash driving in March and since then cases had been registered against 1,400 youths for violating the law.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Tayyab Hafeez Cheema said that the police had formed two teams to conduct the operation.
“As many as 40 CTP officials take pictures and make videos of people who resort to rash driving and take part in dangerous activities like one-wheeling and share it with the police so that cases could be registered against them,” he said, adding that another team of around 250 officials carryout a flag march to warn the youth of stern action for breaking the law.
The CTO added that CTP had also arranged an awareness walk and motorbike rally to educate the masses about the consequences of such activities.
“Abubakar went with his friends on a motorbike ride and met a fatal accident when he and his friends were resorting to one-wheeling,” said Hajra Bibi, a mother who lost her son last year.
“I request all the parents to keep a check on their children,” Hajra added. She pledged to play her part to create awareness about such fatal activities.
“The aim behind taking action against the one-wheelers is to save the lives of people. We need the support of parents to fight this menace,” said DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf.
He said that cases under Sections 279 and 99 of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance (MVO) are registered against such law breakers.
Mueed Ahmed, another biking enthusiast locked up with Asif, said that he used to perform acrobats only for adventure.
“I never thought that it was a crime but now I have realised my mistake and after coming out from jail will never indulge in such activity again,” he said.
Station House Officer SI Nasir Hameed told Pakistan Today that the police are taking action against such youths on a daily basis.