The provincial government of NWFP has revived the status of full-fledged department for transport related matters in the province. In the past the department was merged with the department of environment working as subsidiary wing of the former. The decision for revival of the department was taken in the cabinet meeting held on July 28 with Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti in the chair.
Mian Iftikhar Hussein, who also holds the portfolio of the department of Information and Public Relations, would look after the affairs of the Department of Transport. According to a notification, issued by the Establishment and Administration Department (Regulation Wing), the department will perform the following functions.
Administration of Directorate of Transport NWFP, Provincial Transport Authority, District Regional Authorities and NWFP Road Transport Board, Inspection and Checking of the Documents of Motor-Vehicles, Inspection and Certification of road worthy vehicles, formulation of Transport Policy and Planning, Research and Development, data collection regarding vehicles registration, route permits, road accidents and traffic courts.
The department will also provide assistance in legislation regarding updating of Highway Code, review of traffic laws, review of traffic safety provisions and review of motor-vehicles laws and rules. Other functions to be performed by the department are: monitoring and evaluation of transport related projects, issuance of route permit for stage carriages and contract carriages, route permits fare/freights, matters relating to traffic speeds, loading, parking and halting places, classification of rules for public service vehicles, settlement of terms and conditions for public service vehicles and operation of Pak-Afghan Bus Service.