KARACHI: The newly introduced e-challan system in Karachi faced criticism after a local resident, Hakeemullah, reportedly received five separate traffic fines in a single day, prompting authorities to investigate the issue.
According to the citizen, all five challans were issued on October 30, three from Mauripur at 12:03 pm and two from Hassan Square just 10 minutes later at 12:13 pm, all citing the same violation for not wearing a seatbelt. The total fine amounted to Rs50,000, leaving him shocked.
Traffic police officials confirmed they had reached out to Hakeemullah and asked him to visit a facilitation center, assuring that since this was his first violation, the matter would be reviewed and the fines were likely to be canceled.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon defended the e-challan system, saying it was launched to ensure stricter traffic law enforcement and enhance road safety.
He dismissed criticism from political opponents, stating, “Lives are lost when people fail to follow traffic rules. The purpose of e-challans is not to burden citizens but to enforce discipline on the roads.”
He explained that the provincial government had updated old traffic laws to make them more effective, claiming the new system was already showing positive results.
“We will continue to make decisions in the public interest. We want citizens to follow traffic laws so that no one loses even a single rupee unnecessarily,” he said.
Memon added that road accidents had decreased under the new measures and cited the recent dumper truck accident case, saying those involved had been arrested and that development work to improve Karachi’s infrastructure was moving forward.