Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced that first-time traffic violators detected by the newly launched e-ticketing system in Karachi can have their fines waived within ten days if they personally appear and submit an apology. The announcement was made following the inauguration of the Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS) at the Central Police Office. The system replaces the manual ticketing process with a fully digital mechanism that uses AI-enabled CCTV cameras to automatically detect and record traffic violations such as speeding, running red lights, and failure to wear helmets.
According to a press statement issued by the Sindh government, Murad Ali Shah reviewed a report presented by Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon regarding the performance of the system since its rollout. The report revealed that even government and police vehicles were fined for various violations, including the use of tinted windows, red-light jumping, and not wearing seatbelts. One police vehicle was fined Rs10,000 after being recorded twice without a seatbelt by the automated cameras on the Lyari Expressway. The chief minister emphasized that the new system ensures transparency and fairness, noting that even official vehicles would not be exempt from traffic laws.
Murad Ali Shah stated that while first-time offenders can have their fines waived upon presenting an apology, repeat violators would be required to pay penalties without exception. He underscored that the purpose of the new system is not to penalize citizens but to promote safer driving habits and ensure compliance with traffic laws. “All citizens have equal rights under the law, and compliance must be ensured across the board,” he said, reiterating that accountability applies to every driver regardless of status. The Sindh CM also directed the traffic authorities to maintain strict monitoring and continue issuing electronic challans to violators in order to instill a sense of responsibility among motorists.
Following the launch of TRACS, Karachi Traffic Police issued over 2,650 electronic challans in a single day. Data shared by Sindh police showed that 1,535 challans were issued for not wearing seatbelts, 507 for riding motorcycles without helmets, 419 for speeding, 166 for jumping red lights, and 32 for using mobile phones while driving. Additionally, challans were also issued for tinted windows, improper parking, and lane violations. The digital system automatically records each violation and generates an e-challan that is then sent to the registered vehicle owner’s address. Vehicles with unpaid fines will be barred from sale or transfer until all dues are cleared.
The decision to implement the e-ticketing system came as Karachi has faced a concerning rise in road accidents, particularly involving heavy vehicles such as dumpers and water tankers. According to hospital data, nearly 500 people lost their lives and over 4,800 were injured in traffic-related incidents across the city in 2024. This increase in fatalities prompted citizen protests and compelled the Sindh government to enforce stricter traffic measures, including restricting the movement of heavy vehicles during daytime hours and requiring mandatory fitness certificates for all such vehicles. The introduction of TRACS marks a significant step in the province’s broader effort to enhance road safety, modernize traffic regulation, and promote digital governance in Pakistan’s largest metropolis.
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