Karachi’s New System Makes Fake Number Plates Hard to Use

DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah has outlined how Karachi’s upgraded traffic surveillance system will help authorities identify vehicles using fake or tampered number plates, a practice that has long complicated law enforcement efforts in the city.

Speaking on the ARY Podcast, he explained that the new system is designed to instantly flag vehicles whose registration data does not match their physical appearance.

He said officers recently stopped a vehicle with black-tinted windows and discovered that its number plate did not correspond to any registered record. Further checks showed that the plate belonged to an FX while it had been installed on a Vigo, and the violation was detected on the spot.

According to him, similar discrepancies are now identified within seconds. The DIG said smart surveillance vehicles will be deployed at major intersections under the Safe City project, where real-time camera alerts will notify police of suspicious vehicles. The system will continuously monitor traffic and allow officers to intercept offenders immediately.

He added that the project will play an important role in combating street crimes once it becomes fully operational. Karachi requires around 24,000 surveillance cameras, and he believes that visible improvements will bring greater public backing and more government investment.

DIG Shah noted that earlier systems were manual and not IP-based, making it difficult to trace stolen or snatched vehicles. With modern surveillance technology now in place, authorities expect improved recovery rates and safer roads across the city.