On the beautiful eve of a hectic day, the 26th of October, I got a ticket from the Lahore Police in Cantt. It was my first ticket in I can't even remember how many years.

Anyway, the ticket was issued on a crime that I did not know of and committed only in absolute innocence (I know that's what everyone says). I was coming from PAF Market towards Sherpao Bridge and was waiting coneniently in the left most row at the traffic signal for it to turn green. Suddenly I heard I honk from the back and saw a car in the back view mirror, waiting to turn left. Out of sheer sympathy, I over-drove the zebra-crossing and the car went through. Suddenly I saw the new traffic police man (one of the latest educated lot) walking towards me and I knew I was in trouble.

So the police man approached me finally and asked me for my documents. I argued that I know I am on the zebra-crossing but it was out of respect for the person behind my car. And then I was told that it is not because of the zebra-crossing, but beacsue of the wrong lane I was in. Cars driving straight or turning right from a signal are not allowed to park in the left most lane. So I was issued the ticket.

For those of you who are ignorant like myself, the police man also told me that I was not wearing a seat belt and that it is also made compulsory. A ticket can be issues for not wearing a seat belt.

Impressive Part

The traffic ticket had to be paid at the National Bank Cantt and the documents have to be collected from the traffic police document collection office at the old airport on Abid Majeed Road. The time to deposit the money and collect the documents is only 10 days from the issuance of the ticket, so the last date in my case was 5th of November. If one does not collect the documents within 10 days, the documents are forwarded to the courts and one has to get them released from there.

I got the ticket fee paid on the 3rd of November, but unfortunately got late for the documents release. Found time on the 6th of November and visited the documents collection office. After standing in a queue for 20 min, I was told that I was late (which I was) and teh documents were sent to Cantt. courts.

Disappointed, I started walking back to my car when an officer from the office came out and asked me to stop. He told me that my documents were still there, but the entry has been made in the file and the file was gone to the courts. He told me that the courts will charge me an extra amount and will release the documents, alternatively he said, he can check with the concerned person to see if I could make the payment right there and then and take my documents.

At this, I was pretty sure that now the bribery part is going to start. I told him if the documents are still there, why can't I get them just like that. He checked the ticket receipt and inquired if I had made the payment on the 3rd of Nov. and I said yes. He then called the concerned person and told him that the payment was made within the due time and if I could get the documents without any extra charge. On approval he gave me the documents without any extra charge and the most amazing part was that the police officer made the phone call from his own mobile.

I was shocked and still am gladly surprised. I hope its the beginning of a better civil society. Amen !