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Karachi’s AI-based e-challan system (TRACS) fined 3,400 drivers in a single day. Is this smart policing or digital overreach? Explore how technology, traffic woes, and citizen backlash are shaping the future of road safety in Pakistan.
🚦 Karachi’s e-Challan Crackdown — Smart Policing or Digital Chaos?
On April 15, 2025, Karachi woke up to a new era of traffic enforcement — one that doesn’t involve whistles, hand signals, or heated roadside arguments. Instead, the city’s streets came under the silent gaze of AI-powered CCTV cameras, catching violations in real-time and automatically issuing faceless e-challans.
The new system, officially named Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS), recorded a staggering 3,485 e-challans in just one day, according to a report by Geo News and PPI.
At first glance, this sounds like progress. But the question remains:
Is Karachi finally getting smart on traffic law — or are citizens being digitally trapped by a system that’s still finding its feet?
💸 3,400 Fines in One Day — A City Under Watch
According to Karachi’s Traffic Police data, most of the violations were simple, everyday offenses:
- 2,433 drivers fined for not wearing seatbelts.
- 511 motorcyclists caught without helmets.
- 78 cases of mobile phone use while driving.
- 27 incidents of wrong-way driving.
- 51 drivers fined for overspeeding.
- 45 buses penalized for carrying passengers on rooftops.
- 5 citizens fined for zebra-crossing violations.
That’s nearly 3,500 fines in a single day — and all of them caught by cameras, not cops.
The idea sounds efficient, but for many Karachiites, it felt like a shock. Overnight, an AI system began watching their every move, and the consequences hit their wallets hard.
🧠 How TRACS Works — The Technology Behind the Lens
TRACS replaces the old manual ticketing system with a fully automated e-ticketing mechanism, using AI-integrated CCTV cameras across the city.
Here’s how it works:
- Cameras monitor traffic for violations like speeding, red-light jumping, and helmet non-compliance.
- When a violation is detected, the AI captures the vehicle’s registration plate.
- The system cross-checks data with government databases such as Excise & Taxation, Driving Licence, NADRA e-Sahulat, etc.
- An e-challan is automatically generated and sent to the owner’s registered address or phone.
No police stops. No bribes. No confrontation.
That’s the promise — transparency and accountability on Karachi’s chaotic roads.
🏢 TRACS Sahulat Centers — The New Traffic Hubs
For the public, TRACS Sahulat Centers have been established at major traffic offices and police stations. Here, citizens can:
- Pay fines easily.
- Clarify violations.
- Contest or dispute wrongful challans.
The system also includes the TRACS mobile app, which allows users to:
- View their violations with photo evidence.
- Pay fines via online gateways or mobile wallets.
- Get real-time updates on traffic rules and penalties.
At its best, TRACS aims to make Karachi’s traffic system modern, paperless, and efficient — something Pakistan’s largest city has desperately needed for years.
⚖️ Digital Justice or Digital Disruption?
But not everyone is celebrating.
Many citizens have taken to social media and local news outlets to complain about inaccurate challans — some even claiming that they were fined while their vehicles were parked at home.
One Karachi resident told Geo News that he received a challan for not wearing a helmet near Clifton’s Teen Talwar — even though he was at home in Scheme 33 at that exact time.
Adding to the frustration, several citizens noted errors in the challan photos and number plates, raising doubts about the system’s accuracy.
These incidents have fueled the perception that TRACS may have been launched in haste, without proper testing or calibration.
🧾 Government’s Response — A Gesture of Goodwill
Following the public backlash, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah intervened. He announced that every motorist’s first e-challan would be waived as a goodwill gesture.
However, he warned that repeat offenders would face strict action — signaling that the government isn’t backing down on enforcement.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Muhammad Farooq submitted a resolution in the Sindh Assembly demanding a review of the e-challan system, calling the heavy fines “unjust.”
He argued that Karachi’s infrastructure — from broken roads to missing signboards — makes compliance difficult. “Citizens are being punished for a system that’s already broken,” he said.
⚖️ Legal Challenge — TRACS Heads to Court
The Markazi Muslim League has also filed a constitutional petition in the Sindh High Court, challenging TRACS’ legality.
The petition claims:
- Citizens are being unfairly fined due to technical errors.
- Non-payment threats, including blocking NADRA-issued ID cards, are unconstitutional.
- Fines in Karachi (Rs5,000) are disproportionately higher than those in Lahore (Rs200).
The petitioners argue that such penalties are “nothing less than an ordeal for Karachi’s residents,” especially when the city’s basic road infrastructure remains inadequate.
💬 The Debate — Progress vs Punishment
At the heart of the debate lies a simple question:
Can technology fix what decades of neglect and corruption couldn’t?
Supporters say TRACS is a bold step toward smart governance — removing human bias, improving safety, and forcing accountability on reckless drivers.
Critics, however, argue that you can’t digitize discipline overnight. A city that still struggles with lane markings, traffic signals, and road signs needs groundwork before automation.
As one driver put it, “They’re fining us through cameras, but the streetlights don’t even work.”
🌐 Global Context — How Other Cities Did It Right
Karachi isn’t alone. Cities around the world have gone through similar transitions:
- Dubai implemented AI-driven traffic enforcement in 2018 and saw a 35% drop in violations within two years.
- Singapore uses facial recognition to identify repeat offenders.
- London relies on smart traffic sensors integrated with police databases.
The difference? These systems were introduced gradually, with public awareness campaigns and robust complaint mechanisms.
Karachi’s challenge isn’t technology — it’s public trust.
📲 The TRACS App — Karachi’s Digital Cop in Your Pocket
The TRACS app is designed to empower citizens, not just penalize them. Users can:
- Check vehicle history.
- Monitor e-challans in real-time.
- Pay instantly using digital wallets.
But many citizens complain that the app crashes frequently, and the interface isn’t user-friendly — another reminder that technology needs continuous improvement, not just a flashy launch.
🚗 Driving Behavior — A Cultural Shift in the Making?
Despite its rocky start, TRACS might trigger a long-term behavioral change.
Seat belts, helmets, lane discipline — these aren’t just legal requirements; they’re lifesavers.
For decades, Karachi’s drivers have treated traffic laws as optional. A system that fines violators consistently — without fear or favor — might finally force citizens to drive responsibly.
The ultimate test, however, will be consistency and fairness.
🔮 The Road Ahead — Balancing AI and Accountability
TRACS represents a massive shift in how Karachi enforces its traffic laws.
But like any major reform, it must evolve.
Here’s what experts recommend:
- Improve Accuracy — Fix camera calibration and license plate recognition.
- Enhance Transparency — Provide clearer evidence and appeal options.
- Public Awareness — Run citywide campaigns before issuing mass fines.
- Gradual Implementation — Expand camera coverage slowly to avoid overload.
- Infrastructure First — Repair signals, roads, and signboards for fair enforcement.
If these measures are adopted, TRACS could become a national model for smart traffic management — not just a digital nightmare.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the TRACS system in Karachi?
TRACS (Traffic Regulation and Citation System) is an AI-based e-challan system that detects traffic violations using cameras and automatically issues fines.
2. How do I pay my e-challan?
You can pay via the TRACS mobile app, e-Sahulat centers, or official traffic police websites.
3. Can I contest a wrong challan?
Yes. Visit a TRACS Sahulat center or submit a complaint online with photo evidence.
4. What if I ignore my e-challan?
Repeated non-payment may result in legal action or ID restrictions, as per traffic regulations.
5. Why are fines higher in Karachi than other cities?
Officials argue the higher fines reflect Karachi’s traffic density and violation rates — but critics call it unfair and disproportionate.
🏁 Final Thoughts — A System Worth Fixing, Not Rejecting
TRACS is neither a failure nor a flawless success. It’s an ambitious experiment in bringing Karachi into the age of digital governance.
The backlash is understandable — errors, confusion, and growing pains are real. But abandoning the system altogether would mean returning to corruption, inefficiency, and chaos.
If Karachi can fix TRACS’ flaws and earn public trust, it could pave the way for Pakistan’s first truly smart city traffic system.
Until then, every beep of the camera is a reminder:
Technology alone can’t enforce discipline — but it can certainly demand it.
