A motorist in Karachi, identified as Hakimullah, was hit with five separate e-challans on a single day, totaling Rs 50,000 in fines. All the fines were issued on October 30. Three of them registered at 12:03 pm in Mauripur, while the remaining two were recorded at 12:13 pm in Hasan Square. All violations were for failing to wear a seat-belt.
The municipal traffic authorities have since contacted Hakimullah and directed him to visit a facilitation centre to get the matter resolved. Meanwhile, they have given assurances that initial violations under the newly-launched electronic traffic challan system will be reviewed and some may be waived off.
The e-challan system, which uses CCTV and AI technology, was launched in Karachi just last week. Within its first six hours, over 2,600 challans amounting to Rs12.5 million were issued — encompassing offences such as overspeeding, not wearing seat-belts, running red lights, using mobile phones while driving, helmet violations for motorcycles and more.
However, the system has also become the subject of controversy. Critics, including opposition figures and legal petitioners, argue that the system unfairly penalises vehicle owners rather than actual drivers, lacks sufficient infrastructure support (such as visible speed‐limit signs and clear lane markings) and that its legality is now under challenge in the Sindh High Court.
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