Introduction
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest metropolis, is infamous for its chaotic traffic and frequent violations of road rules. For decades, manual challan systems and human-based policing failed to create lasting discipline on the roads. To bring transparency, accountability, and efficiency, the Sindh government has introduced the E-Challan System in Karachi, a digital mechanism that automatically detects violations and issues fines using smart surveillance technology.
Launched under the Karachi Safe City Project, this initiative aims not only to reduce road accidents but also to modernize how traffic rules are enforced across the city. Within just hours of becoming operational, the new system generated thousands of challans, proving both its efficiency and necessity.
What is the E-Challan System?
The E-Challan System in Karachi is an automated, camera-based traffic monitoring network that identifies violations such as overspeeding, red-light jumping, or driving without helmets. It uses cutting-edge tools like:
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
- Intelligent Transport System (ITS)
- Facial Recognition (FR) Cameras
All of these technologies are integrated under the Safe City Authority to ensure accurate detection of violations. When a violation occurs, the system captures evidence through surveillance cameras, generates a digital challan, and sends it to the registered address via Pakistan Post.
This eliminates the need for direct interaction between drivers and traffic officers, ensuring transparency and reducing the risk of bribery or manipulation.
How the System Works
According to DSP Admin Karachi Traffic Police Kashif, the E-Challan system operates through a vast network of cameras installed across key routes of the city.
- 1,076 cameras have been installed in the first phase.
- The number will gradually rise to 12,000 cameras in later stages, covering all major areas and toll plazas of Karachi.
Each camera is capable of identifying vehicle number plates, tracking movement, and recording violations. Once a violation is detected:
- The system automatically generates a challan.
- The challan is sent to the violator’s address registered with the Sindh Excise and Taxation Department.
- Citizens can also view challans through the Trax4Citizens App or Sindh Police website.
Launch and Early Results
The system officially became operational in late October 2025, and the impact was immediate. Within the first six hours, more than 2,600 e-challans were generated, totaling Rs13 million in fines.
This rapid response demonstrated how seriously the authorities are taking the issue of traffic discipline. The initiative is being managed under the supervision of DIG Traffic Police Peer Muhammad Shah, who described it as a “milestone in transforming Karachi’s traffic enforcement into a modern, transparent, and efficient framework.”
Violations and Fines
The E-Challan system monitors a wide range of violations. The initial six-hour record revealed the following statistics:
- 1,535 seatbelt violations
- 507 for riding motorcycles without helmets
- 419 for over speeding
- 166 for red-light jumping
- 32 for mobile phone use while driving
- Other minor offenses like tinted windows, wrong parking, and one-way violations
The minimum fine is Rs5,000, but citizens who pay within 14 days receive a 50% discount. However, if payment is not made within 21 days, the fine amount is doubled.
Failure to pay within three months can lead to license suspension, and unpaid fines for six months may result in CNIC blocking by NADRA.
Appeal and Review System
To ensure fairness, the Sindh government has also created an appeal mechanism. If a citizen feels that a challan was issued mistakenly, they can file an appeal at any of the 11 designated police stations in Karachi.
Each appeal is reviewed by a three-member committee consisting of:
- A Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
- A senior traffic official
- A representative from the Citizen-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC)
The appeal is usually resolved within three to four days, and if the challan is found invalid, it is removed from the system. During the appeal process, the payment timer remains paused.
Heavy Vehicle Regulation
The new system also targets heavy vehicles such as trucks, tankers, and buses, which are often responsible for major traffic disruptions and accidents. These vehicles are now required to install trackers connected directly to the DIG Traffic Office.
- Any heavy vehicle found without a tracker after November 1, 2025, will face a Rs100,000 fine.
- Speeding violations by heavy vehicles can result in fines up to Rs20,000.
- So far, 10,000 out of 22,000 heavy vehicles in Karachi have installed these trackers.
This real-time monitoring system helps prevent reckless driving and ensures compliance with speed limits, especially on highways and busy intersections.
Ensuring Fair Implementation
DIG Shah clarified that e-challans are only issued on fully compliant roads, meaning those with proper lane markings, zebra crossings, stop lines, and traffic signals. Roads lacking these facilities are temporarily excluded to maintain fairness and accuracy in enforcement.
Digital Access and Citizen Involvement
Citizens can check their challan status online through the Sindh Police website or the Traffic Police mobile application. By entering their CNIC number, they can:
- View all vehicles registered under their name
- Check violation history
- Pay fines digitally
This system not only makes payment convenient but also helps citizens monitor their driving behavior. As DIG Shah explained, “The data will help drivers identify their mistakes and improve their driving habits over time.”
Future Expansion: Karachi Traffic Management Company
To ensure long-term sustainability, the Sindh government has approved the creation of the Karachi Traffic Management Company (KTMC). Based on recommendations from the traffic police, this company will:
- Oversee coordination between agencies
- Improve road infrastructure and markings
- Enhance urban mobility and traffic flow
- Introduce data-driven decision-making
The KTMC is expected to be established within a month, marking another step toward modernizing Karachi’s traffic ecosystem.
Principles of the New System: Fear, Responsibility, and Accountability
DIG Peer Muhammad Shah summarized the philosophy behind the E-Challan system in three words — Fear, Responsibility, and Accountability.
- Fear: Knowing that every violation is recorded by cameras deters drivers from breaking rules.
- Responsibility: Awareness of automated monitoring encourages responsible behavior.
- Accountability: Every violation is documented and traceable, leaving no room for bias or favoritism.
This digital shift also eliminates street-level discretion, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally under traffic law.
Conclusion
The introduction of the E-Challan System in Karachi marks a historic transformation in the city’s approach to traffic regulation. By combining advanced technology, fair procedures, and digital accessibility, the Sindh government has created a framework that promotes safety, order, and responsibility on the roads.
As the system expands citywide and integrates with national databases, it is expected to reduce traffic violations, improve driver behavior, and enhance public trust in law enforcement.
With consistent public cooperation, Karachi’s e-challan system could become a model for other cities in Pakistan — proving that technology, when used responsibly, can turn chaos into order and pave the way for a safer urban future.