Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC), challenging the implementation of the E-challan system in Karachi.
The petition names as respondents the Chief Secretary, Sindh government, Inspector General of Police (IGP), DIG Traffic (DIG T), NADRA, Excise Department, and other relevant institutions.
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The petitioner contended that Karachi’s infrastructure is crumbling, with citizens lacking basic facilities, while the government slapped the citizens with heavy fines under the newly launched e-challan system.
Furthermore, it was stated that any threats made against individuals’ national identity cards for unpaid challans are a violation of fundamental rights.
Comparing penalties across cities, the petitioner questioned why traffic fines in Lahore can reach as little as Rs200 while in Karachi they reach up to Rs5,000.
This petition to the court asked it to declare these discriminatory and excessive penalties illegal and order authorities to first focus on improving Karachi’s infrastructure before penalizing citizens.
Earlier to this, engineer Adil Askari of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) filed an adjournment motion in the Sindh Assembly.
READ: How & Where to challenge an e-challan in Karachi
He criticizing the government’s recent implementation of an electronic ticketing system without improving Karachi’s road infrastructure, transport facilities, or traffic management.
Askari claimed that while citizens were being fined by way of the digital challan system, the government had failed to implement basic road safety measures and traffic infrastructure.
“Imposing e-challans without making repairs or installing signals was unfair and counterproductive,” according to Askari.
Adjournment motion stated that dilapidated roads across Karachi and Sindh were leading to frequent accidents and vehicle damage, leaving commuters struggling for public transport solutions.
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Askari noted that inactive traffic signals, missing zebra crossings, lack of road signs/markings/signposting made it impossible for both drivers and pedestrians to abide by traffic rules.
In its motion, MQM-P lawmaker Ahmed Talib cited illegal encroachments by illegal occupants and mafia groups as one of the major contributors to traffic congestion.
Instead of improving road conditions for citizens, they were being punished under an imperfect and unnecessary system, according to Talib.
