KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday issued notices on a petition challenging the e-challan system recently implemented in Karachi.
The petition, filed by the Markazi Muslim League, questions the legality and fairness of the e-challan system introduced last month to curb traffic violations.
During the hearing, the court directed all respondents, including the Chief Secretary of Sindh, Inspector General of Police, DIG Traffic, NADRA, and the Excise Department, to submit their replies by November 25. The bench also ordered that this petition be clubbed with other similar cases already pending before the court.
The petitioner argued that Karachi’s roads are in a state of disrepair and citizens are being unfairly burdened with heavy fines. The plea also challenged the practice of threatening to block national identity cards over unpaid challans, calling it a violation of fundamental rights.
It further highlighted the disparity in fines, noting that a traffic challan in Lahore costs Rs200, while Karachi residents are fined Rs5,000, questioning the coexistence of two different rules within the same country.
The petitioner urged the SHC to declare the fines discriminatory and illegal, asserting that the system unfairly targets Karachi residents while ignoring broader infrastructure issues.
