Karachi’s traffic enforcement system is set for another major digital upgrade, as authorities move to empower traffic police officers with a new method for issuing e-challans.
According to officials, a special mobile application has been developed that will be installed on the personal mobile phones of authorised traffic police officers only.
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Using this app, officers on duty will be able to photograph traffic violations in real time. The captured image will be automatically transmitted to the central e-challan system, where an official challan will be issued to the violator.
Officials said the mobile app will initially be launched on an experimental basis in Karachi.
If a traffic police officer witnesses a violation such as wrong parking, lane violations, or other breaches during duty hours, the officer will take a picture using the app.
READ: Karachi to deploy drones, digital scanning for E-Challan on no-parking violations
The system will then forward the evidence to the designated e-challan officer, who will issue the fine digitally. The identity of the reporting traffic police officer will also be recorded in the challan for accountability.
E-challan via TRACS in Karachi
This initiative builds upon the Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS), which was launched on October 27, 2025.
TRACS replaced the manual ticketing system with a fully automated e-ticketing mechanism powered by AI-integrated CCTV cameras. These cameras detect violations such as over-speeding, red-light jumping, and helmet non-compliance without human intervention.
Authorities say TRACS has reduced human discretion, confrontation, and potential bias, making traffic enforcement more transparent. Citizens can pay fines or seek clarification at TRACS Sahulat centres, located at major traffic offices and police stations across the city.
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The system is integrated with key government databases, including excise and taxation records, driving licence data, and NADRA e-Sahulat services. Through modern payment gateways and the TRACS mobile app, citizens can view violations and pay fines online in real time.
Currently, around 200 cameras are operational across Karachi. Authorities plan to expand the network to 12,000 cameras city-wide, with future expansion to other districts of Sindh. Oversight is ensured through integration with the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).
