Karachi’s new e-challan system has issued 4,301 traffic fines in a single day, with the majority targeting drivers who failed to wear seat belts, according to the latest report from the Karachi Traffic Police.
As per details shared by DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah, most of the violations were related to basic safety negligence. Out of the total, 2,290 challans were issued for seat belt violations, highlighting a widespread disregard for this essential safety measure.
Meanwhile, 845 challans were handed out for over-speeding, and 655 for not wearing helmets. The newly launched digital traffic monitoring system, which automatically detects violations through high-definition cameras and data integration, has begun showing its impact within just days of operation.
Rs12.5 Million Fines in Six Hours on Day One
The day before, Karachi’s traffic police made headlines after issuing e-challans worth over Rs12.5 million within six hours of the system’s launch. During that period alone, authorities recorded 2,662 violations through the city’s smart monitoring network.
According to official data, the majority of early fines were also linked to safety breaches — 1,535 challans for not wearing seat belts, 507 for helmet violations, and 166 for running red lights.
Smaller offenses were also noted, including:
- 32 for using mobile phones while driving
- 7 for tinted windows
- 5 for wrong or illegal parking
- 4 for stop-line violations
- 4 for wrong-way driving on one-way streets
- 3 for driving in the wrong direction
Smarter Enforcement for Safer Roads
The Karachi e-challan system is part of a wider initiative to digitize traffic management, reduce human interaction, and ensure transparency in law enforcement.
Officials say that all fines are linked to vehicle registration data, enabling online verification and payments through integrated systems. This approach aims to curb manual handling of fines and promote accountability among drivers.
DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah noted that the system will “help build a culture of road discipline and ensure greater compliance with safety regulations.”
Authorities are also planning awareness campaigns to educate citizens about traffic safety and encourage compliance before penalties become heavier under future phases of the initiative.
