The Ministry of Communications met with IRU yesterday to chart a path towards safer roads by tackling the leading cause of accidents: human error.
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, met yesterday in Islamabad to explore proposals for improving road safety based on internationally recognised standards.
Professional qualifications and certification for drivers and transport professionals are fundamental to addressing human error. IRU has developed comprehensive certification standards aimed at elevating the professionalism of drivers and transport operators.
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “Certified drivers are not only better prepared to handle road risks, enhancing safety, but they also improve fuel efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.”
“Professional certification elevates driving as a career, ensuring compliance with national and international regulations,” he added.
Abdul Aleem Khan reaffirmed that promoting safe driving is among his top priorities, with the initial phase focusing on commercial drivers. He recognised the unique role IRU can play in enhancing road safety and traffic management.
IRU proposed a four-pronged approach during the meeting:
- Raise standards: Ensure all commercial drivers and operators demonstrate high professional standards, as outlined in the IRU–World Bank Road Transport Services Reform Guide.
- Adopt IRU certification:
▪ Make IRU Crash Prevention/Defensive Driving Certification mandatory for all commercial drivers, starting with the bus and coach sector.
▪ Require transport managers to complete the Road Safety at Work online course. - Professionalise the transport sector long-term: Partner with IRU to develop tailored training and certification programmes aligned with Pakistan’s specific transport challenges.
- Boost public awareness and recruitment: Launch campaigns highlighting the value of certified professional drivers to attract new talent to the profession.
“By implementing this roadmap, Pakistan can make major strides toward safer, more professional road transport, protecting both lives and livelihoods across the country,” said Umberto de Pretto.
IRU’s global training network, the IRU Academy, is already active in Pakistan. In 2024, IRU accredited its member the National Logistics Corporation’s (NLC’s) training arm to deliver the IRU Academy Defensive Driving and Crash Prevention Programme.
From safer roads to stronger trade links
In a meeting today with Farrukh Shahzad Rao, the Director General of IRU member NLC, Umberto de Pretto stressed the importance of strong public-private partnerships to efficiently advance road safety in Pakistan.
They also discussed the growth of the TIR transit system in Pakistan, which was also the topic of discussion in a separate meeting with the Chairman of Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue, Rashid Mahmood Langrial.
The use of TIR in Pakistan has grown by 200% so far this year compared to the same period last year. By leveraging TIR, Pakistan has activated new corridors connecting South Asia with Central and West Asia, China, and the Middle East.