First Woman in Rawalpindi Receives HTV Driving License on Merit

A historic milestone has been achieved in Rawalpindi as a woman has become the first female driver to obtain a Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) driving license from the City Traffic Police Rawalpindi, marking a significant step forward in commercial driving inclusion.

The achievement was recorded by Humaira Naseer, who successfully completed the HTV commercial driving test, including a dumper driving assessment conducted at the Old Varan Depot on Peshawar Road in Saddar, Rawalpindi.

According to officials from the City Traffic Police Rawalpindi, the license was issued purely on merit after she fulfilled all required training and testing standards. Authorities confirmed that she met all procedural requirements for commercial heavy vehicle licensing without any exceptions.

The HTV category is considered one of the most demanding driving license classifications in Pakistan, as it authorizes drivers to operate large transport vehicles such as trucks and dumpers used in logistics, construction, and industrial operations. Earning this license requires strict testing to ensure road safety and professional competency.

Traffic police officials highlighted that the development reflects growing opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated sectors, particularly in transport and logistics. They noted that the success could encourage more women to pursue professional driving careers in the future.

The licensing process included both theoretical assessment and practical driving evaluation, ensuring that candidates are fully capable of handling heavy transport vehicles under different road and traffic conditions. Humaira Naseer’s successful completion of these stages has been widely acknowledged by department officials.

The City Traffic Police has been working to improve driving standards and promote merit-based licensing systems in order to enhance road safety and professional driving culture across the region. Officials say strict testing procedures are essential for reducing road accidents involving heavy vehicles.

The milestone has been welcomed as a positive development in promoting gender inclusion in Pakistan’s transport sector. It also reflects gradual social and professional shifts, where women are increasingly entering technical and skilled professions.

Authorities have expressed hope that this achievement will encourage greater participation of women in commercial driving, while maintaining high safety and training standards across all licensing categories.