ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered a strict crackdown against the public display of weapons and the use of Toyota Hilux pickup trucks across the province.
The directive comes as part of efforts to curb intimidation and maintain law and order, especially targeting those who spread fear and disrupt social peace through overt shows of power.
Crime Control Department to Enforce Strict Measures
The newly established Crime Control Department (CCD) has been tasked with taking “indiscriminate action” against individuals involved in weapon display and reckless use of Hilux pickups.
According to Additional Inspector General of Police Sohail Zafar Chatha, displaying weapons in public is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The department will also use over 21,000 Safe City cameras alongside advanced artificial intelligence technologies to monitor and identify such illegal activities. This high-tech surveillance aims to ensure swift action and accountability.
The Hilux Pickup: A Symbol of Power and Intimidation
The Toyota Hilux, especially the mid-2000s Vigo model locally known as “Vigo Dala,” has gained notoriety in Punjab and other urban centers for its association with power and intimidation.
These pickup trucks often speed through traffic, flashing lights to demand right of way, while their occupants—often armed guards—use the vehicle as a symbol of status and fear.
The Hilux has become synonymous with influence and lawlessness in some areas, raising concerns about its role in escalating street-level crime and public insecurity.
The Punjab government’s move to clamp down on such displays is a clear message that public safety and order will take precedence over intimidation tactics. Authorities have vowed to maintain peace by strictly enforcing these orders across the province.
