Karachi Drivers Hit with Rs 12 Million Fines on First Day of E-Challan System

Written by Hassan, Date: 30/10/25

Yo, Karachi walon! Picture this: You're zipping down University Road on your bike, helmet chilling at home, windows tinted like a movie star, and bam—your phone buzzes. Rs 5,000 fine for no helmet. No cop pulling you over, no "bhai yaar 500 de do" drama. Just straight-up AI slapping you with an e-challan. This is the new reality in Karachi since the E-Challan system dropped like a bomb on Oct 28.

In just six hours, traffic cops raked in Rs 12.5 million from 2,662 violations. That's like the entire Clifton crowd getting fined before lunch! It's part of the big TRACS (Traffic Regulation and Citation System) rollout—AI cameras watching your every move. Sounds like Big Brother? Kinda, but hey, maybe it'll finally make us stop treating roads like a free-for-all demolition derby. With potholes everywhere and traffic jams that test your zen, this system's got everyone talking. Is it a game-changer for safer streets or just another money grab? Let's break it down.

pakistantoday.com.pk

Karachi launches strict traffic crackdown, impounds over 43,000 ...

What Went Down on Day 1? The Jaw-Dropping Numbers

Launch day was WILD. Cameras went live, and boom—Rs 12 million+ vanished from drivers' pockets faster than your biryani at iftar. Here's the tea on the top violations:

No seatbelts: 1,535 tickets (that's over half the total!)
Helmet-less bikers: 507 challans
Overspeeding: 419 speed demons caught
Red light jumpers: 166 rebels
Others (phone scrolling, tinted glass, wrong parking): The rest

Mind blown? Even the DIG Traffic's own car got slapped with a Rs 10k fine for no seatbelt. No VIP pass here—pure equality!

How Does This E-Challan Magic Work?

Simple: AI > Humans. 200+ high-def cameras at hotspots like Shahrah-e-Faisal, Clifton Bridge, and University Road snap violations in real-time. No more bribing the traffic walay.

Step-by-step deets:

Detection: AI spots speeding, red lights, no helmet/seatbelt via number plate recognition.
Instant ticket: Linked to Excise, NADRA, and license databases—challan hits your phone/home via Pakistan Post.
Pay up: Tracks Citizen app (download NOW), web portal, or e-Sahulat centers.
Discount hack: 50% off if paid in 14 days (min fine Rs 5k).
Appeal? File via app/committee if it's a glitch.

Expansion alert: 12,000 cameras citywide soon, then Hyderabad/Mirpurkhas. Smart Karachi incoming!

aljazeera.com

Riding with Karachi's motorbike journalists | Media | Al Jazeera

Top Violations: Don't Get Caught Like This!

Pro tip: Buckle up or break the bank. Here's your cheat sheet:

Violation	Fine	How to Dodge It
No Seatbelt	Rs 5k+	Click it—saves lives AND cash!
No Helmet	Rs 5k+	Strap on, zoom safe.
Overspeeding	Rs 5k-20k	Chill on the throttle.
Red Light Jump	Rs 10k+	Wait 3 secs, hero.
Phone While Driving	Rs 5k	Hands-free or park it.
Tinted Glass	Rs 5k	Clear view = clear conscience.

Demerit points too: 30 points = license suspended. Game over for serial offenders.

Karachiites React: Rage, Memes, and #RoadsFirstThenChallan

X (Twitter) is on FIRE! #RoadsFirstThenChallan trending with pothole pics and rants: "Fix roads first, then fine us!" Fair? Kinda, Karachi roads look post-apocalyptic. But peeps admit: Traffic's actually flowing better now! Early birds stopping at zebras? Miracle!

Pros:

Less chaos
Safer rides (fewer accidents hopefully)
No bakshish culture

Cons:

Pothole hell
Yellow plates dodging? (Debate on)

Even haters turning fans: "Got fined, but streets feel disciplined AF."

youtube.com

More Than 12,000 E-Challans in Just 3 Days In Karachi!

FAQs: Your E-Challan Burning Questions Answered

1. How do I check my challan? Download Tracks Citizen app, enter plate number. Boom—instant status!

2. Can I pay online? Yup! App, website, or bank. 50% off in 14 days.

3. What if it's wrong? Appeal via app/committee within 10 days. Evidence reviewed.

4. Gov vehicles fined too? Yes! DIG's car proved it.

5. Cameras everywhere? Starting 200, hitting 12k soon. Hotspots first.

6. Heavy vehicles? Rs 100k no-tracker fine from Nov 1.

7. License from other provinces? Tracked soon—no escape!

Your Move: Drive Smart, Stay Fine-Free! 🚀

Karachi, this ain't a drill—E-Challan is here to stay. Download Tracks Citizen TODAY, buckle up, helmet on, and let's make our roads legendary (not lethal). Got fined? Share your story below—misery loves company!

Drive safe, peeps. Karachi deserves better—and now, we're getting it. #EChallanKarachi #RoadsFirstThenDiscipline