Rehan Shahid 
Oct 05, 2025
In the bustling metropolis of Karachi, it never seems to slow down. With a population of over 14.9 million, the city is a hub of activity, from its vibrant markets to its bustling streets. However, beneath the surface of this urban dynamo lies a complex suite of challenges that impact the daily lives of Karachiites.
One of the most pressing issues Karachiites face is the city's notorious traffic congestion. Amidst this chaos, the requirement for an efficient and advanced traffic management system has become increasingly apparent.
To address this issue, Karachi Traffic Police has introduced the 'Faceless e-Challan system', a digital solution aimed at streamlining traffic enforcement and reducing congestion.
What is faceless e-challan system?
According to the Karachi Traffic Police, the faceless e-challan system is a digital traffic enforcement mechanism designed for promoting road safety and transparency in Karachi.
Discussing the faceless e-challan system with Gadinsider, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic Police Pir Muhammad Shah said: “Under this system, traffic violations will be automatically detected — backed by evidence — through CCTV cameras installed throughout the city.”
“When a violation occurs, a challan will be generated along with photographic or video evidence, and it will be sent directly to the violator’s home — free from any human interference,” SSP Shah added.
Benefits of faceless e-challan system
“The digital traffic enforcement mechanism will be based on an automated system, which will capture traffic violations through CCTV cameras, and e-challans will be dispatched directly to the vehicle's registered address, ensuring a transparent and efficient process".
SSP Shah stated: "The manual traffic system has been phased out in Karachi, and the faceless e-challan system will now be fully operational".
The Sindh Police has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan Post for the direct delivery of traffic e-challans to citizens’ homes.
However, speaking to Gadinsider, a Pakistan Post's official said: "We have not yet received official Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from Karachi Traffic Police regarding the delivery of e-challan at the violator's home".
Key points of MoU signing between Sindh Police and Pakistan Post
- Delivery within Karachi and Hyderabad will be completed within 24 hours.
- Beyond Hyderabad, delivery will be ensured within three working days.
- Pakistan Post will maintain a record of all transactions and deliveries for 18 months.
- Delivery charges will be Rs26 within Karachi-Hyderabad and Rs41 outside the zone, fully borne by the Sindh government, with no extra cost to citizens.
It’s noteworthy that the system is designed to reduce corruption, discourage reckless driving, and build trust between the public and law enforcement.
Faceless e-challan system awareness campaign
To ensure a smooth rollout of the faceless e-challan system, the Karachi Traffic Police have launched a comprehensive awareness campaign. More than 100 locations across Karachi will be featured traffic awareness advertisements.
“The awareness campaign, featuring strategically placed billboards, prime-time television advertisements, targeted digital marketing initiatives, and banners at key traffic intersections.”
“Seminars are also being conducted to educate the Karachiites about the benefits and functionality of the faceless e-challan system. This ongoing effort, which has been in place for the past three months, aims to ensure a smooth transition and widespread understanding of the new digital traffic system,” DIG Shah added.
Moreover, at traffic signals and busy commercial zones, volunteers, lady constables, and student groups are also “educating commuters about the benefits of the system".
Recently, a scam emerged about fake e-challan messages circulating on mobile phones. Addressing this scam, Karachi Traffic Police advised the public not to click on suspicious links to avoid scams.
Additionally, fines have increased significantly, with penalties now ranging from Rs2,000 up to Rs100,000 for serious violations.
Faceless e-challan payment system
- 50% discount on challan payment within 14 days
- Double penalty on payment after 21 days
- Driving license suspension after three months of non-payment
- The Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) will be blocked after 6 months of non-payment.
According to the new schedule, in Karachi, motorcyclists without a license will face a fine of Rs20,000, car drivers will be fined Rs30,000, and heavy vehicle drivers will be fined Rs50,000.
Through this modern system, the traffic police aim to provide citizens with a transparent, fair, and effective law enforcement process.
Traffic Sahulat Centres
Citizens can now avail a hassle-free complaint management system for traffic-related issues through the 'Traffic Sahulat Centres;. According to SSP Shah, these centres, planned to be operational at 11 locations, will assist citizens who have doubts regarding their e-challans.
At the Traffic Sahulat Centres, citizens can provide their digital ID number to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) representatives, who will then guide them through the process.
“If the e-challan is deemed invalid, the representatives will cancel it. However, if the e-challan is valid, citizens will be required to pay the fine.”
With these facilitation centres, Karachi Traffic Police aim to streamline the complaint management process, making it more efficient for Karachiites to resolve their e-challan-related issues. It's essential to note that the Traffic Sahulat Centres are yet to be built and made operational.
Will faceless e-challan system help reduce traffic congestion in Karachi?
However, a commuter, Verdan Hameed, expressed concern about the effectiveness of Karachi's faceless e-challan system in reducing traffic congestion with Gadinsider. "I don't think it will make a difference," Hameed said. "We're living in Pakistan, where internet connectivity is unstable, and banks' online systems frequently encounter issues. How can we expect a government-owned system to operate smoothly 24/7?”
He further added: "Through the faceless e-challan system, citizens are likely to follow traffic laws, thereby reducing violations such as wrong-way driving, signal jumping, and other infractions (overspeeding, improper lane usage)."
Traffic management needs to be prioritised as a national issue by the governments in all provinces. There is a need to lend political ownership to these initiatives on a larger scale in Pakistan.
