The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) challenging the implementation of the e-challan system in Karachi. The petition, reported by ARY News, lists the Chief Secretary, Sindh government, Inspector General of Police, DIG Traffic, NADRA, and the Excise Department among the respondents.
The PMML argues that Karachi’s poor infrastructure and lack of essential facilities make it unfair to impose heavy traffic fines through the e-challan system. The party claims that threatening to block citizens’ national identity cards over unpaid fines violates their constitutional rights.
The petition also questions the inconsistency in traffic fines across cities. It highlights that penalties in Lahore start from as low as Rs200, while in Karachi, fines can go up to Rs5,000. The plea calls on the court to declare such penalties discriminatory and to direct authorities to first improve the city’s infrastructure before penalizing drivers.
Earlier, MQM MPA Adil Askari submitted an adjournment motion in the Sindh Assembly, criticizing the provincial government for enforcing the e-challan system without addressing the city’s traffic problems. He pointed out several issues, including broken traffic signals, missing zebra crossings, lack of signboards, and poor road markings.
Askari urged the government to suspend the system until a comprehensive road safety and infrastructure plan is implemented. He also demanded proper road repairs, installation of new signals, and the removal of illegal encroachments that block traffic flow.
Since its launch, Karachi’s e-challan system has issued over Rs12.5 million in fines and nearly 2,662 tickets within six hours, sparking strong reactions from motorists and political parties alike.
The petition by the PMML reflects growing public concern over the fairness and readiness of Karachi’s traffic management system, as authorities push ahead with digital enforcement despite ongoing infrastructure challenges.
In other news read more about:Faceless e-Challan System Comes Into Effect This Month in Sindh
