“Each place has its own dynamics” the court responds to the argument that sanctions are higher in the metropolis
The constitutional bench of the Sindh High Court refused to grant an immediate stay on the e-challan system, sending notices to the DIG traffic police and other respondents to submit their responses to a series of petitions against the new mechanism in Karachi.
A two-member bench – headed by Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry – on Tuesday considered petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami, Markazi Muslim League, bus owners’ associations and several citizens, challenging the legality and enforcement of traffic fines issued through the e-challan system.
The petitioners’ lawyers argued that the fines imposed in Karachi were much higher than those imposed in Lahore, calling the disparity discriminatory. The bench, however, observed that Karachi could not simply be compared to other cities, pointing out that “every place has its own dynamics”.
During the hearing, the bus owners’ lawyer, Munisf Jan Advocate, complained that the buses were not allowed to pick up passengers. The court observed: “All buses must stop only at designated stops. » He argued that proper bus stops were virtually non-existent in the metropolis. Justice Chaudhry replied: “We ourselves live in this city; we know the situation. »
The court ordered that all responses be consolidated and heard together, and adjourned the proceedings until December 11. The petitions named Sindh Chief Secretary, Provincial Government, IG Police, DIG Traffic, NADRA, Excise Department and other concerned institutions as respondents.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, Markazi Muslim League leader Nadeem Ahmed Awan termed the fines imposed on the e-challan as “unfair”, alleging that motorists were being “extorted in the name of law enforcement”. He argued that the road infrastructure in Karachi is in poor condition and “facilities need to be provided first”.
Awan claimed the speed limit signs were only installed after millions of dollars had already been collected in fines. He said his party had taken the matter to court on behalf of the people and demanded that the e-challan system be suspended until basic traffic and road infrastructure is ensured.
