Despite the recent rise in traffic fines across Lahore, the updated penalty structure still remains far lower than what motorists have to pay in Karachi.
The significant gap highlights not only differing enforcement strategies but also varying urban traffic challenges between the two major cities.
A new comparison of traffic penalties reveals that Karachi imposes far heavier e-challan fines than Lahore.
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Data shows Karachi consistently charging higher penalties across nearly all categories, especially for two-wheeler violations, where motorcyclists face fines more than double those applied to riders in Lahore’s traffic system.
Over-Speeding:
In over-speeding cases, Karachi adopts the strictest stance, fining bikers Rs 5,000, compared with Rs 2,000 in Lahore, while car drivers face Rs 10,000 penalties, which is twice the amount charged in Lahore that is Rs5,000.
Signal Violations:
Signal violations also carry higher fines in Karachi, where bikers are charged Rs 5,000 and car drivers Rs 10,000, while Lahore imposes only Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively for the same red-light offences.
READ: Karachi’s faulty E-Challan system burdens citizens with ‘unfair fines’
Riding Without Helmet:
Riding without a helmet results in a Rs 2,000 challan in Lahore, whereas Karachi fines the same violation at Rs 5,000.
Wrong-Way Driving:
Wrong-way driving remains one of Pakistan’s most hazardous violations, with Karachi charging Rs 5,000 for bikers and Rs 10,000 for car drivers, far above Lahore’s Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 penalties.
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The difference in penalty severity has sparked debate among commuters, many questioning whether high fines actually reduce violations or instead place additional financial pressure on citizens.
