464 Killed in Punjab Road Crashes in October
At least 464 people were killed and 23,543 seriously injured in 44,797 road traffic crashes across Punjab in October 2026. Punjab road crashes in the month involved motorcycles in nearly three-quarters of the incidents, according to Rescue 1122.
Emergency Services Department Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer expressed concern over the figures at a monthly review of the emergency operational performance of Rescue 1122 districts. He called for greater attention to road safety, particularly among motorcyclists. He urged riders to keep to the left side of the road and maintain speeds below 50 kilometres per hour, warning that excessive speed increased the risk of fatal accidents.
The scale is stark when broken down. The October toll averages close to 15 deaths a day and about 1,445 crashes a day across the province. Motorcycles dominate the picture, which points to rider behaviour, helmet use and mixed traffic as the central safety problem rather than any single road or junction.
Punjab road crashes: Lahore records the highest count
Lahore recorded the highest number of road crashes, with 7,874 incidents involving 8,833 motorcycles. That is about 17.6 per cent of all crashes in the province, a share that reflects both the city’s size and its traffic density.
Multan reported 2,838 accidents involving 3,312 motorcycles, while Faisalabad recorded 2,615 crashes involving 2,896 motorcycles. Gujranwala reported 2,092 accidents involving 2,250 motorcycles, followed by Sheikhupura with 1,714 crashes involving 1,706 motorcycles. Taunsa Sharif recorded the lowest number, with 142 accidents involving 160 motorcycles.
Fires were also concentrated in major districts. Lahore reported 357 fire incidents, followed by Faisalabad with 122, Rawalpindi with 116 and Multan with 109. Sheikhupura recorded 66 fire incidents and Gujranwala 62.
The wider emergency workload
Rescue 1122 teams responded to 231,056 emergencies during October and rescued 233,210 people. These included road accidents, medical emergencies, fires, drowning incidents and other rescue operations. The department recorded 1,726 fire emergencies and 94 drowning incidents during the month.
Accidents and other injuries accounted for the largest category of emergencies, with 59,325 cases. Cardiovascular emergencies followed with 42,813 cases, then gastrointestinal cases with 31,301 and respiratory emergencies with 22,605.
The data also included 17,853 neurological emergencies, 15,212 fever cases, 7,954 gynaecological and obstetric emergencies and 7,498 urinary cases. Rescue 1122 additionally handled 6,924 fire and rescue emergencies, 5,275 diabetic cases, 4,915 psychosocial emergencies, 4,227 cases involving back and joint pain, 4,195 crime-related emergencies and 379 allergy cases.
Dr Rizwan chaired the monthly review meeting on Monday. Directors of emergency services, heads of wings and the provincial monitoring officer attended, while district emergency officers joined through video link. District officers briefed the secretary on operational performance, major emergencies, response efforts, challenges and lessons learnt.
What the figures say about road safety
The October figures underline two linked problems. First, crashes are frequent and deadly, with motorcycles at the centre. Second, the emergency system carries a heavy load from those crashes alongside its medical work, which means prevention matters as much as response.
Dr Rizwan said the figures underlined the need to strengthen road safety measures and improve public awareness, particularly among motorcyclists. His advice was practical: keep left, keep below 50 kilometres per hour, and treat speed as the difference between a crash and a fatality.
Enforcement is part of the same picture. Feature Pakistan has reported on court action over unpaid e-challans in Lahore, which shows fines reaching the courts when motorists ignore them. Weather adds a seasonal risk, as seen in M3 motorway fog closure from Faizpur to Jaranwala and M4 expansion work between Faisalabad and Pindi Bhattian. Seasonal safety planning is part of the same picture, as shown by Murree’s winter safety plan.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in Punjab road crashes in October?
At least 464 people were killed and 23,543 seriously injured in 44,797 road traffic crashes across Punjab in October 2026, according to Rescue 1122.
Which district recorded the most crashes?
Lahore recorded the highest number, with 7,874 crashes involving 8,833 motorcycles. Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura followed, while Taunsa Sharif recorded the lowest count.
What safety advice did Rescue 1122 give motorcyclists?
Emergency Services Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer urged riders to keep to the left side of the road and maintain speeds below 50 kilometres per hour, warning that excessive speed increased the risk of fatal accidents.
How many emergencies did Rescue 1122 handle in October?
Rescue 1122 teams responded to 231,056 emergencies during October and rescued 233,210 people, covering road accidents, medical emergencies, fires, drowning incidents and other rescue operations.
Were motorcycles involved in most crashes?
Yes. Motorcycles were involved in nearly three-quarters of the 44,797 road traffic crashes recorded in Punjab during October 2026.
