The decision has been taken to prevent the use of fake licences, curb road accidents and ensure safety on the highways.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will issue the new driving licences among the drivers.

A project contract was signed between BRTA and Pakistan National Database Registration Authority (PNDRA) at the Ministry of Communications yesterday.

BRTA Chairman MA Momen and PNDRA Chairman Brig. (Retd) Salem Ahmed Moyeen signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda and high officials of the ministry and Pakistan embassy in Dhaka were present.

As per the agreement, PNDRA will make 7,50,000 licences at a cost of over Tk 8.99 crore and supply those to BRTA.

BRTA's genuine laminated driving licences being used by drivers, however, will remain valid, said an official handout.

But BRTA will stop issuing new laminated driving licences, which were introduced earlier and instead issue the new high security driving licences among the drivers of all kind of vehicles gradually to curb the use of fake licences.