The minimum fine in the new system is Rs 5,000, which can be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.
Accustomed to the relaxed enforcement of traffic laws in Karachi, city dwellers had a rude awakening when the famous traffic control and citation system became operational.
Barely six hours after its launch in the metropolis, the faceless Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS) has automatically generated over 2,600 e-tickets amounting to over Rs13 million for various traffic violations.
According to DIG traffic police colleague Muhammad Shah, the new automated system uses cutting-edge surveillance technology, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and Facial Recognition (FR) cameras, all integrated under the Safe City Authority to identify and fine traffic violators.
The DIG added that modern surveillance cameras have so far been installed in 30 percent of the city’s areas, and work in the remaining areas is expected to be completed soon.
Currently, major thoroughfares and areas – including Sharah-e-Faisal, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Rashid Minhas Road, Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Chowrangi and Qayyumabad Chowrangi – are covered. The total number of advanced cameras is expected to reach 12,000 in the upcoming phase.
He clarified that e-challans will be issued only on fully compliant roads, such as those equipped with lane markings, zebra crossings, stop lines and traffic lights. Roads lacking these basic facilities will not be included in the e-ticketing system.
According to the separation, the e-challans issued include 1,535 for seat belt violations, 507 for riding a bicycle without a helmet, 419 for speeding, 166 for jumping red lights, 32 for using mobile phones while driving, four for stop line violations, three for lane line violations, seven for tinted windows, five for wrong parking, five for stopping vehicles in no-parking zones and three for one-way violations unique.
DIG Shah revealed that heavy vehicles including trucks, dumpers, trailers, tankers and large buses will now have to install trackers directly linked to the DIG traffic office. The system will automatically issue challans if a heavy vehicle exceeds 30 kmph. He termed the initiative as a “revolutionary measure” by the Sindh government to reduce road accidents caused by rash driving. Currently, trackers have been installed in 10,000 of the 22,000 large vehicles operating in the city.
From November 1, any heavy vehicle driving without a tracer will be liable to a fine of Rs 100,000, while over-speeding by these vehicles will attract fines of up to Rs 20,000 each. The DIG announced that the traffic police had signed an agreement with Pakistan Post to ensure timely delivery of e-challans. Notices for violations will reach homes in Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas within 24 hours, and other cities within three days.
He added that citizens can now download the traffic police mobile app or visit the Sindh Police website to register their CNIC numbers. Through this system, users can view all vehicles registered in their name and check any violations or pending challans. The DIG clarified that not all recorded violations will necessarily result in a fine; however, the data will help citizens identify their mistakes and improve their driving habits.
The minimum fine in the new system is Rs 5,000, which can be reduced by 50 percent if paid within 14 days. The objective, according to the DIG, is not simply punitive but to instill traffic discipline and deterrence among citizens.
DIG Shah further revealed that following the directives of the Chief Minister and Home Minister, the government would establish the Karachi Traffic Management Company within a month. The company, based on proposals from the traffic police, aims to ensure better coordination, better road discipline and technological progress in urban mobility management.
“This system is an important step in transforming traffic control in Karachi into a modern, transparent and efficient framework,” said DIG Shah. “Citizens need to understand that the era of manual challans is over: technology will now ensure accountability. »
