• New system implemented without ensuring road infrastructure, vehicle ownership verification mechanism and installation of proper speed limit signs, JI leaders say in petition
• Blocking of CNICs, suspension of driving licences over non-payment termed ‘punishment without due process’

KARACHI: One more petition against the recently introduced faceless e-ticketing system was filed in the Sindh High Court on Wednesday, seeking temporarily suspension of issuance and recovery of heavy penalties.

Earlier, the Markazi Muslim League and a citizen moved the SHC against heavy traffic fines imposed under the e-ticketing system.

City chief of the JI Monem Zafar Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the City Council Advocate Saifuddin and party’s lone lawmaker in the Sindh Assembly Muhammad Farooq filed the petition.

Petitioners’ counsel Usman Farooq stated that the Al-based e-challan system was implemented in Karachi without ensuring necessary road infrastructure, vehicle ownership verification mechanism and installation of proper speed limit and other essential traffic signboards.

Citing the chief secretary, home secretary, excise and taxation department, inspector general of Sindh police and DIG-traffic as respondents, he submitted that they were aggrieved by the arbitrary notification imposing the Al-based e-challan system with exorbitant and discriminatory fines as the impugned system operated through CCTV and AI-enabled cameras, automatically detecting alleged traffic violations and issuing e-challans to the registered owners of the vehicles.

They also argued that coercive measures were being taken as a drastic increase in fines, blocking of computerised national identity cards (CNICs), suspension of driving licences and impounding of vehicles over non-payment amount to punishment without due process of law.

The petitioners further submitted that a large number of vehicles continue to operate without formal transfer of ownership mainly due to alleged corrupt procedures in the excise and taxation department discouraging timely transfer of ownership.

They submitted that the thoroughfares in the city were in deplorable condition as vehicles cannot be driven smoothly, forcing commuters to take alternative or even wrong routes due to ongoing construction works along University Road, Karimabad, New Karachi, Jahangir Road and various other parts of the metropolis.

The JI leaders also stated that fines being imposed under the impugned system were significantly higher than other provinces as for example exceeding speed limit carries a fine of Rs5,000 for motorcycles, Rs10,000 for cars/jeeps, Rs15,000 for LTVs and Rs20,000 for HTVs in Karachi. However, in Lahore, the same fine was Rs200 for motorcyclists, Rs5,000 for cars/jeeps and Rs750 for public transport vehicles.

They further maintained that the entire e-challan system appeared to be designed primarily for generating revenue through fines rather than ensuring traffic discipline or public safety.

They stated that residents of the city were already contributing around 50 per cent of the total revenue collected by the federal government and nearly 95pc by Sindh government, but they were being further burdened by this arbitrary and discriminatory system.

They argued that low-income groups generally used motorcycles mainly because of a lack of mass transit system/public transport and it was impossible for a citizen earning Rs30,000 to Rs40,000 per moth to pay such heavy fines.

The petitioners submitted that the JI also filed resolutions in the Sindh Assembly and City Council against the e-challan system and asked the SHC to declare implementation of the impugned system without adequate infrastructure and ownership verification safeguards as illegal and unconstitutional.

They also pleaded to suspend operation and implementation of e-challan system and restrain respondents from issuing, processing or recovering of any penalty till the final disposal of the petition.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2025