The Sindh High Court has received a petition challenging the e-challan system for traffic violations in Karachi. The petition, filed by Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Munim Zafar and other citizens, argues that heavy fines are being imposed on residents without proper infrastructure or clear legal procedures.
The petitioners’ lawyer, Usman Farooq Advocate, told the court that e-challans are sent automatically to vehicle owners using CCTV cameras and artificial intelligence, regardless of who was actually driving at the time of the violation. He said the system unfairly penalizes owners, not necessarily the real offenders.
The lawyer also highlighted poor road conditions in Karachi and across Sindh, noting the lack of speed limit signs and zebra crossings in many areas. He pointed out that ongoing development projects often force traffic police to direct vehicles onto the wrong side of the road.
He cited examples such as the long-delayed Karimabad underpass and the poor condition of major roads, including Jahangir Road and New Karachi Road. In this context, he argued, imposing heavy fines on citizens is discriminatory.
According to the petition, the main purpose of the e-challan system is to generate revenue, not to reform drivers. The lawyer said it is unfair to burden Karachi’s residents—who already contribute a large share of federal and provincial revenue—with extra financial penalties.
He also pointed out issues with the Excise Department, where corruption and delays make it difficult to transfer vehicle ownership promptly. As a result, many vehicles run on open letters, and fines are sent to the wrong owners.
The petitioners argued that imposing fines of thousands of rupees for minor violations is anti-public. For example, a wrong-side or speeding fine for a motorcycle in Karachi is Rs 5,000, while in Lahore, it is only Rs 200—a clear disparity.
The petition asks the court to immediately suspend the e-challan system and heavy fines, declare the AI-based system illegal in the absence of proper infrastructure, and order an end to discriminatory treatment of citizens.
Stay Connected with ProPakistani
Get the latest automobile news, car launches, bike reviews, videos and analysis wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
I hope the petition succeeds. All the reasons for which I also wanted the E-Challan system to end are mentioned here. Rather than spending money on these systems and imposing heavy fines, they should first fix the root cause and solve the problems which causes people to break the law in the first place.
and what is the root cause other than ‘awami begherti’
Why should anyone break the law in the first place? Do people not have the sense of right and wrong? Let’s take the example of driving on the wrong-side during a traffic jam. Do they not understand that they only compound the jam. Do they think they are the only ones who have to get somewhere while everyone else stuck in that jam came there to enjoy the said jam?
Another example, running the red light. Will you get late reaching somewhere if you stopped for 30-90 seconds? If you are indeed getting so late that it compelled you to run the red light then you should work on your time management skills instead of breaking the law. And in any case, when you are already late then not stopping for 30-90 seconds won’t make you arrive in time anyway.
SHC should interfere in this rare public interest initiative of the Sindh Government
Totally agree.its not fair to karachittes already facing poor infrastructure structure,water mafia and corruption everywhere
Absurd and pointless petition. Finally something good happening to ensure proper driving ethics. 200 rupees? Charge 20,000 and make sure they don’t repeat. Its always the vehicle owner responsibility for fines and internationally the owner then collects the fine from the person driving but legally is the one responsible to pay. Good initiative!
I totally agree with all the pleas, petitioner has raised
Kindly off this e challan system
I mean heavy fines for minor violations like not wearing a helmet are not okay but that doesn’t justify the behavior of citizens for driving on the way of the road and fines for that should be heavy. Besides that the fines are unjustifiably heavy, there is no due process, infrastructure problems etc, regardless it is a good initiative only implementation on parts which are not extractive was not done. Great job Sindh government.
Like to even increase further to these humans like animals
There should be a proper protocol or clearly defined system to challenge the person who is given the challan. However, stopping it entirely is against public. The traffic has been so much smoother and people are not honking people in fast lanes. Its a very good system Jamat-e-Islami does good work but here they are absolutely against fair and law abiding citizens.
Firstly educate people about road sign and traffic rules through proper media continuously three to six month then impose fine or other measure , and initially fine should be less as people can afford ,
Extremely gutted by how much of a hypocrites these people are cause clearly Lahore doesn’t kill as many people in accidents that Karachi does.This system is clearly and solely in the favour of the people of Karachi.
I agree that e-challan system is unfair and unjust. This is to fill the pockets of our corrupt leaders and police higher-ups. Shahme Shame. Dismiss this poor management immediately. Absent administration in karachi during working hours is generating money for their families and fun.
There is a very simple solution for this concern of yours….do not break any law and you won’t have to pay any exorbitant fine to fill the pockets of any corrupt leader or police higher-up.
بہت اچھی بات ہے کہ ہائی کورٹ میں چیلنج کیا گیا ہے ہائی کورٹ کو اس پر غور و فکر کرنے چاہیے اور اس کا صحیح فیصلہ کرنا چاہیے تاکہ عوام کی جو پریشانی ہے اس کو سمجھ سکے
E.-challan system in Karachi require lot of work to be done by Sindh Govt before its implementation. Govt does not appear to represent its people but a party ready to create more inconvenience to common man.
The Court should permanently disqualify the leadership of PPP from holding any position in government. Their record clearly demonstrates corruption and incompetence. This party has proven unfit to serve and should therefore be permanently banned from political participation.
That is like treating the symptom ..,..and not the disease.
All signs, billboards and other requirements be completed at 100%, then E challah system be imposed. Otherway this is only for generation of revenue for …………….
Sindh govt must install speed limit signs in all e challan zones. Once installed only thenve-challan system should start working. Without having such sign boards activated or installed e challan is rip off
Higher and lower courts are both fully complicit in ineptness and corruption of executive. Court will not give relief to the citizens.
Hahahaha when the systematic jugaari inherent to pakistani society and how things are done here catches up 🤣
Traffic fines are everywehre in civilized countires, and they follow the traffice rules. This reflects how much a nation is civilized.
The point is, where the collection of fines will be used. Will it be used for the betterment of the infrastructure and who will make sure about its fair utlization.
Secondly, Owner is responsible for the fines everywhere, it is his/her responsibility to make sure and get the money from the driver/end user.