Sindh’s new electronic traffic challan (e-challan) system has triggered widespread criticism from citizens and opposition parties, who accuse the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led provincial government of exploiting motorists instead of addressing Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure and failing transport system.
Residents argue that the government’s priority appears to be collecting fines rather than fixing the city’s broken roads or improving traffic management. Many citizens say the Sindh government has neglected Karachi’s development throughout its nearly 18-year rule, allowing corruption, administrative mismanagement, and poor governance to dominate provincial affairs.
Opposition parties and social media users have compared Sindh’s governance with that of Punjab, where development projects and infrastructure improvements have been visibly executed under PML-N governments. In contrast, critics say Sindh’s rulers have failed to deliver even basic public amenities.
The e-challan controversy has intensified this debate. Citizens claim the system is being used to extract money from the public while the government ignores chronic issues such as potholed roads, lack of public transport, poor traffic control, and missing speed limit signage.
Provincial Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon defended the initiative, urging citizens to follow traffic rules and act responsibly. However, critics argue that the government rushed to install surveillance cameras for fine collection but failed to repair roads or put up proper traffic signs.
Traffic police officials reported that over 6,000 seatbelt violations, 1,700 overspeeding cases, and 2,000 helmet-related challans were issued within days of the system’s launch. Fines range from Rs5,000 for motorcyclists to Rs20,000 for heavy vehicles, generating more than Rs10 million in just three days.
The controversy has now reached the Sindh Assembly, where the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) — formerly a coalition partner of the PPP — has submitted a motion to suspend the e-challan system, arguing that it was implemented without ensuring basic road safety measures or an efficient public transport network.
MQM lawmakers emphasized that citizens are being penalized for traffic violations even though most roads are damaged, public transport options are inadequate, and alternative routes are unsafe. They demanded that the government review the fines or revise the system after proper consultations.
Analysts suggest that while automated traffic monitoring could improve discipline and reduce accidents, the government’s dismissive attitude toward legitimate public criticism risks alienating voters further. Experts urge authorities to repair road infrastructure, enhance public transport, and engage with urban planners and traffic experts before enforcing large-scale fines.
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