The Sindh High Court has received a petition challenging Karachi’s e-challan system for traffic violations. The petition, filed by Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Munim Zafar along with other citizens, claims that residents are being subjected to heavy fines without proper infrastructure or clear legal procedures.
According to the petitioners’ lawyer, Usman Farooq Advocate, e-challans are automatically issued to vehicle owners through CCTV cameras and artificial intelligence, regardless of who was actually driving. He argued that this practice unfairly penalizes owners rather than the actual offenders.
The lawyer also pointed out Karachi’s poor road conditions, the absence of speed limit signs and zebra crossings, and frequent diversions caused by ongoing construction projects.
He cited the incomplete Karimabad underpass and the poor state of major roads such as Jahangir Road and New Karachi Road, arguing that imposing heavy fines in such circumstances is unjust.
The petition further claims that the e-challan system’s main aim is to collect revenue instead of improving road discipline. It argues that Karachi’s citizens, who already contribute heavily to federal and provincial taxes, are being burdened with excessive penalties.
It also highlights problems within the Excise Department, where corruption and delays hinder timely vehicle ownership transfers, resulting in fines being issued to the wrong people, as many vehicles still operate on open letters.
The petitioners described the current fines as anti-public, noting the stark difference between Karachi and Lahore, where a speeding or wrong-side violation costs Rs5,000 in Karachi but only Rs200 in Lahore.
The petition requests the court to suspend the e-challan system and heavy fines immediately, declare the AI-based system unlawful in the absence of adequate infrastructure, and ensure equal treatment for citizens.