Karachi’s new e-challan system issues 2,662 tickets worth over Rs12.5m in six hours

The newly launched Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS) issued 2,662 e-challans worth over Rs12.5 million within just six hours of its rollout on Tuesday, according to the Karachi Traffic police.

A breakdown of violations showed 1,535 tickets for not wearing seat belts, 507 for riding without helmets, 419 for overspeeding, and 166 for red-light violations.

Additional offences included mobile phone use while driving, tinted windows, illegal parking, lane-line breaches, and wrong-way driving.

The launch followed the inauguration of TRACS at the Central Police Office by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who described it as a milestone in the province’s digital governance reforms. The AI-powered, faceless e-challan system replaces the manual ticketing process with automated monitoring through smart CCTV cameras, ensuring transparency and eliminating human bias.

The system removes human discretion, confrontation and potential bias, ensuring fairness and accountability on the roads.

Under the new system, citizens can view and pay fines via the TRACS app or Sahulat Centers established at major traffic offices. The platform is integrated with key databases including excise and taxation, NADRA, and the driving license system, to streamline payments and record management.

Currently, 200 cameras have been installed across Karachi, with expansion plans for 12,000 citywide and eventual rollout across Sindh. The initiative, overseen by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), marks a significant step toward modernizing traffic management and improving road discipline.