The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday refused to suspend Karachi’s newly launched AI-based e-challan system and instead directed the provincial government and traffic police to submit their comments on multiple petitions challenging the initiative.
A two-judge bench led by Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry heard four identical petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, the Karachi Bus Owners Association, and a citizen. The petitioners asked the court for immediate relief by halting e-challans until their cases are decided.
The lawyer representing the bus owners argued that intra-city buses were being fined under the system and requested a stay order. However, the bench declined, stating that an interim order could not be issued at this stage and that the matter would be decided after hearing all sides.
The court directed the Sindh chief secretary, home department, excise and taxation department, and the DIG Traffic to file their replies by December 11.
The petitioners argued that the AI-based system was introduced without proper road infrastructure, vehicle verification mechanisms, or supporting facilities.
They claimed the state could not impose heavy fines when basic conditions for lawful driving were unmet, calling the system arbitrary and discriminatory. They also pointed out that fines in Punjab under a similar system were significantly lower compared to Karachi.
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