In a bizarre case highlighting the flaws in Pakistan’s digital traffic monitoring and the rising threat of plate cloning, a woman from Multan has been penalized for a traffic violation committed over 900 kilometers away in Karachi.
The victim, identified as Saba, was left in disbelief when she received an electronic challan (e-challan) notification for Rs. 10,000.
According to the official records, her Daihatsu Cuore was caught violating traffic rules at Punjab Chowrangi, Karachi.
The only problem? Saba’s car was and has been parked safely at her residence in Multan.
“You Should Know Where Your Car Is”
Seeking to clear her name and report the identity theft, Saba contacted the Traffic Section at Drigh Road, Karachi.
However, instead of technical support or a formal investigation, she was met with what she describes as a “ridiculous and insensitive” response from the officials.
According to Saba, the traffic personnel told her
“You must know where your car is. Just go ahead and bring us photos of your vehicle from the front and back, along with the registration papers, and then we will look into it.”
The victim expressed frustration that instead of the law taking action against a clear case of fraud, the burden of proof was shifted entirely onto her.
The Danger of the “Ghost” Car
The e-challan photo clearly shows a vehicle with Saba’s registration number and a visible driver’s face navigating Karachi’s streets. This points to a dangerous trend of fake or cloned number plates used to evade taxes or commit crimes under someone else’s identity.
“My car’s duplicate is roaming the streets of Karachi, and no one is stopping it,” Saba lamented. “The cameras show the person’s face clearly. Instead of mobilizing the law to catch the fraudster, they are giving me ‘useful advice’ on how to prove I’m innocent.”
Key Concerns Raised by the Incident
Why does the e-challan system not verify the vehicle make/model against the registration database before issuing high-value fines?
If the cloned car is involved in a serious crime or accident, the owner in Multan could face legal nightmare.
The lack of a streamlined process to contest “ghost challans” leaves citizens vulnerable to administrative harassment.
Saba has appealed to the IG Sindh and the Sindh Traffic Police to use the CCTV footage to track down the individual using the fake plates and to immediately nullify the illegal fine.
