KARACHI: The city traffic police have introduced an electronic challan (e-challan) system to monitor traffic violations through CCTV cameras. Under the system, any violation will be recorded instantly, and fines will be issued automatically.
At a seminar held at a private hotel in Karachi, IG Sindh stressed the importance of following traffic laws. DIG Traffic added that the new system would help reduce road accidents and improve road safety.
However, some city stakeholders expressed concerns, pointing out that challans were being introduced while Karachi’s road infrastructure remained in poor condition.
Police officials said that the driving licence system had also been upgraded. More than 300,000 citizens have already obtained licences through the online facility, which aims to improve overall traffic management.
Authorities urged citizens to follow traffic rules not just to avoid fines, but also to protect lives and ensure safer roads.
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According to officials, automated challans will be delivered to violators’ homes by post. Citizens will also be able to check their challan details through the official traffic police mobile app.
The Karachi traffic police appealed to the public to strictly follow traffic rules to avoid penalties and unnecessary trouble.
In a related development, the Punjab government has tasked the police with collecting more than Rs30.5 billion in revenue during the upcoming financial year, according to budget documents released this week.
Among the major targets is a significant increase in e-challan collections, which have been raised by Rs520 million compared to the current year. The new goal for traffic e-challans has been fixed at Rs1.47 billion, up from Rs950 million.
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The Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) has also been given a separate e-challan collection target of Rs1.5 billion.
Lahore alone is expected to contribute Rs11.2 billion through traffic fines, while driving licence fees across the province have been set at Rs14.5 billion.
Officials say the move aims to boost provincial revenues, but it has also sparked debate over whether assigning tax collection duties to police forces could affect their core responsibility of law enforcement and public safety.
