Following the launch of Karachi’s new AI-powered e-challan system, a resident has sent a legal notice to relevant authorities seeking to halt its implementation.
The notice argues the system is “premature” due to the city’s poor traffic infrastructure and road conditions.
The notice was issued by Advocate Jahangir Shams on behalf of his client, Mir Mohsib Talpur.
The notice was served to the Director General of the Sindh Safe City Authority and federal and provincial secretaries for information.
The e-challan system is deemed impractical due to the current state of Karachi’s road and traffic conditions, which include encroachments, faded road markings, and non-functional traffic signals.
The notice states that while the intention behind the system may be good, “no law should be implemented where conditions are unsuitable for its execution.”
The petitioner has urged authorities to suspend the e-challan system and its surveillance until the city’s road infrastructure is improved.
The system, which was implemented in late October 2025, has received immediate public backlash.
Many Karachi motorists have taken to social media and other platforms with the slogan “fix the roads first,” arguing that the fines are a burden when the city’s infrastructure is failing.
پنجاب میں 200 روپے مگر کراچی میں موٹر سائیکل سوار پر 5000 روپے جرمانہ! یہ لوٹ مار کا دھندا ہے، کراچی میں بھاری چالان پر امیر جماعت اسلامی کراچی منعم ظفر کا سخت ردعمل#karachi #trafficpolice #echallan #karachimatters pic.twitter.com/FHLfzg3Oab
— Karachi Matters (@khimatters) October 29, 2025
Despite the criticism, the government is proceeding with the system, which generated over Rs. 12 million in fines within its first six hours.
To address citizen grievances, IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon announced that a complaint committee would be established, comprising police officials and a Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) representative.
Officials have also stated that citizens who believe they received an e-challan by mistake can challenge the decision through traffic facilitation centers.
As of late October 2025, the legal notice has been delivered, but no court ruling has been reported. A similar court case challenging the system’s legality without proper legislation was successful in Lahore, suggesting a potential legal path for the Karachi petitioner.
https://archive.mmnews.tv/these-11-facilitation-centers-set-up-in-karachi-to-address-e-challan-complaints/
