KARACHI: Karachi’s traffic management has taken a significant leap forward with the implementation of the fully automated, faceless e-challan system, which saw an impressive 3,485 fines issued in just one day.
According to Karachi Traffic Police, the majority of fines 2,433 were for drivers failing to wear seat belts. Other violations included helmet non-compliance, with 511 citizens fined for not wearing helmets and 78 for using mobile phones while driving. Additional penalties were issued for wrong-way driving (27), overspeeding (51), passengers riding on bus rooftops (45), and jaywalking at zebra crossings (5).
The Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS), launched on October 28, has sparked both praise and criticism. Its AI-driven CCTV network detects violations automatically, removing the need for manual ticketing and minimizing confrontations between police and drivers. The system is designed to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability on Karachi’s roads.
Support facilities such as TRACS Sahulat centres have been established at major traffic offices and police stations, providing citizens with a platform to pay fines, clarify violations, or contest challans. The system’s integration with government databases—including excise, taxation, NADRA, and driving licenses allows users to view and settle fines online or via mobile apps.
Initially, 200 cameras have been installed across Karachi, with plans to expand to 12,000 cameras citywide and beyond. The system also features partnerships with the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee to ensure oversight and redressal mechanisms.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the technological advancements, the system has faced criticism. A citizen recently reported receiving a challan for a violation he claims he never committed. The challan indicated he was fined Rs2,500 for helmetless riding at 9:45 a.m. near Clifton’s Teen Talwar, yet he was at home in Scheme 33 at that time highlighting a significant error in the system.
In response to mounting concerns, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah instructed traffic authorities to waive the first e-challan issued to motorists as a goodwill gesture, warning that repeat offenders could face stricter actions. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh MPA Muhammad Farooq has demanded an immediate review of the system, criticizing the heavy fines and infrastructural neglect on Karachi’s roads. He called for the withdrawal of Rs5,000 penalties for motorcyclists, emphasizing that city roads are “broken and signboards missing,” and thus citizens are being unfairly penalized.
Legal challenges have also emerged. The Markazi Muslim League filed a constitutional petition in the Sindh High Court, questioning the legality of the e-challan system. The petition alleges that citizens are threatened with the suspension of their identity cards over unpaid fines. It also points out the disparity in fines—Rs5,000 in Karachi versus Rs200 in Lahore and urges the court to urgently review the system.
