Heavy traffic fines trigger outcry in Karachi

The Sindh government launched, last year in October, introduced the e-challan system for traffic law violations. It involved detection of traffic violations via cameras installed across the city and dispatching challans. Due to missing road signage and lack of public awareness, many people have been unaware of violations.

In less than two months since the initiation of the e-challan system to implement traffic laws in Sindh, Karachi Traffic Police have issued close to 100,000 challans for different violations, many of them involving heavy fines, which has caused public anxiety and resentment against the Sindh government.

After launching enforcement under the e-challan system, traffic police have installed signboards at some locations on Shahrah-e-Faisal specifying the speed limits for the movement of vehicles. However, no such boards are visible on other busy roads of the city, including Korangi Road.

The installation of these signboards is done on Shahrah-e-Faisal, at four locations on each side from the Airport to Avari Hotel. The locations included are FTC, Awami Markaz, PAF, Shah Faisal Colony Flyover, and Star Gate.

However, a lot of citizens are not aware of the speed limits.Most of the citizens who travelled long routes told the media that they were not aware of the speed limit range on Shahr-e-Faisal and other areas where the cameras are installed.

This was stated by the Sindh Interior Minister Zia ul Hassan Lanjar’s spokesperson, stating that he has ordered the launch of an awareness campaign amongst the general public regarding traffic rules. Lanjar further said that he had also ordered the establishment of a Traffic Management Committee to review all affairs related to fines and challans. He further said that he had recommended that e-challan-related complaints be registered online as well.

MQM Pakistan Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the Sindh Assembly Taha Ahmed Khan said that the Sindh government had agreed to waive off the heavy fines imposed on the motorcyclists and drivers of 1000cc cars.