ISLAMABAD — Stranded drivers on the capital’s roads now have a direct line to assistance. The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police officially launched their “Mechanic on Wheels” service today, aiming to provide immediate roadside repair support to motorists through the 1915 emergency helpline.
The service targets common vehicle failures—flat tires, battery issues, and minor engine malfunctions—that often leave commuters stuck during peak traffic hours. Instead of waiting hours for private towing services or struggling to find a nearby workshop, callers can now request a certified mechanic directly from the police dispatch center.
“The goal is to keep traffic moving and ensure citizen safety,” said an ICT Police spokesperson during the launch briefing. “A broken-down vehicle in the middle of a lane isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a major safety hazard that bottlenecks entire sectors.”
The mechanics are deployed in specialized units equipped with basic diagnostic tools and repair kits. Police officials confirmed that the service is free of charge for labor, though motorists will remain responsible for the cost of any parts required for their specific vehicle repairs.
Response times remain the critical metric for the program’s success. Dispatchers at the 1915 center have been instructed to prioritize calls from high-traffic arteries like the Islamabad Expressway and Srinagar Highway, where a single stalled car can cause gridlock stretching for kilometers.
Critics have previously pointed to the capital’s growing reliance on emergency services for non-policing matters, but the department maintains that this initiative falls under their broader mandate of “Public Service Policing.” By clearing obstacles faster, officers spend less time managing congestion and more time on active patrol.
This rollout marks a shift toward a more service-oriented model for the force. Whether the existing fleet of mechanics can keep pace with the capital’s thousands of daily commuters, however, will be the true test for the department in the coming months.
