E-Challan System Flaws : Citizen Furious Over Wrongly Issued E-Challan for Vehicle He Doesn’t Own

Karachi Resident Shocked by Baseless Traffic Fine

Faisal Sattar, a resident of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, found himself embroiled in an absurd situation when he received a Rs. 10,000 e-challan for a traffic violation committed by a car that doesn’t belong to him. The bewildered citizen owns a silver Suzuki Cultus (ASF 613, 2004 model), but the violation notice listed a completely different vehicle—a red Suzuki Mehran (ASF 813, 2003 model). Faisal confirmed that his car had been parked at home for months, making the challan even more inexplicable.

Investigation Reveals Number Plate Misidentification

Upon verifying details on the Excise Department’s website, Faisal discovered that the offending Mehran was registered under Moonlight Industries, not his name. The error appears to have occurred due to an automated traffic camera misreading the number plate, incorrectly linking the violation to Faisal’s vehicle. The case highlights a glaring flaw in Pakistan’s e-challan system, where innocent citizens are being penalized due to technical glitches.

Bureaucratic Hassle Adds to Citizen’s Frustration

When Faisal approached the Traffic Police Facilitation Center to resolve the issue, officials informed him that his case would be reviewed by a committee before any decision could be made. The private-sector employee expressed deep frustration, stating that the unjust fine has caused him unnecessary mental stress. He now fears a lengthy bureaucratic process to clear his name, despite having concrete evidence proving his innocence. The incident has sparked concerns over the accountability of automated traffic enforcement systems and their impact on ordinary citizens.