Lahore Safer Than London, Claims Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily):** Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry has claimed that Pakistan is the world’s fifth most populous country and that Lahore is safer than London.

He made these remarks during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior while discussing the issue of tinted (black) vehicle windows. The committee chairman stated that in many countries an additional fee is charged for the use of tinted windows, and those using them for security reasons or personal preference should pay such a fee.

The chairman also noted that in the previous meeting the committee had directed authorities not to take action until a clear policy was formulated, yet fines of up to Rs 50,000 were still imposed on citizens.

Responding to the concerns, Senator Talal Chaudhry said the committee should guide the government, adding that there is currently no clear policy at the federal or provincial level. When questioned by the chairman about how fines were being imposed in the absence of a policy, Chaudhry replied that action was being taken under an existing excise act.

He further stated that certificates allowing tinted windows were issued a decade ago but were later misused. He said tinted windows had become a fashion trend, with many people citing skin conditions as an excuse, and emphasized that a law imposing a Rs 50,000 fine already exists.

During the meeting, committee member Samina Mumtaz raised serious security concerns, saying the police had failed to protect citizens. She referred to an incident in the riverine (Katcha) area where six police officials allegedly raped a girl, and noted that one of the committee members had already been martyred due to security threats.

In response, Senator Talal Chaudhry said that Pakistan is the world’s fifth most populous country and crimes such as rape occur worldwide, reiterating his claim that Lahore is safer than London. His remarks were challenged by Senator Talha Mahmood, who pointed out incidents in Upper Dir where people were reportedly being stopped and beheaded, questioning the comparison with cities like London and New York.