E-challan only on roads with signage in Karachi, SHC told

Published February 19, 2026
Motorists are stuck in the gridlock at the intersection of I.I. Chundrigar Road and Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, on Oct 7. —Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
Motorists are stuck in the gridlock at the intersection of I.I. Chundrigar Road and Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, on Oct 7. —Fahim Siddiqi / White Star

KARACHI: The traffic police on Wednesday informed the Sindh High Court that e-challan system had only been initiated on the corridors of the city where road infrastructure, lane marking and signage were fully operational.

It also submitted that the under-construction thoroughfares were excluded from e-ticketing system till the completion of development work and installation/upgradation of road infrastructure.

The comments were filed on the behalf of deputy inspector general of police (traffic) in one of several identical petitions filed against implementation of e-challan system in Karachi.

It further said that the provincial government had already provided relief by allowing 50 per cent discount if the challan was paid within 14 days and traffic courts were also being set up to ensure transparency.

After taking the comments on record, a two-judge constitutional bench of the SHC headed by Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed adjourned the hearing till March 12 as a provincial law officer sought more time to file comments on the behalf of other respondents.

Citing the chief secretary Sindh, secretary home department, excise and taxation department, inspector general of Sindh police, DIG traffic police and others as respondents, the petitioners asserted that the Al-based e-challan system was implemented in the city without ensuring necessary road infrastructure, vehicle ownership verification mechanism and other allied facilities.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2026

Opinion

Editorial

In chains
Updated 25 May, 2026

In chains

THE question should never be about who is at the receiving end at any given point in time: an assault on an...
Climate shocks
25 May, 2026

Climate shocks

THE latest State Bank report documenting recurring climatic disasters in Pakistan during the period between 2000 and...
Justice deferred
25 May, 2026

Justice deferred

PAKISTAN’S courts are quick to remind the public that justice takes time. Increasingly, however, it is the conduct...
Some progress
Updated 24 May, 2026

Some progress

Pakistan deserves credit for helping preserve diplomatic space, but also must avoid appearing aligned with coercive pressure from any side.
Chinese market
24 May, 2026

Chinese market

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s trip to China presents an opportunity to rebalance Pakistan’s economic...
Harvesting humans
24 May, 2026

Harvesting humans

ORGAN brokers have for too long preyed on desperation to rake it in. The odious trade — among the most harmful...