When Karachi resident Ali Raza (name changed on request) received an e-challan last week, he was startled — not because of the fine, but because the ticket was for his motorcycle, which was stolen four years ago.
According to the record, the e-challan — issued on October 27 — imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 for not wearing a helmet. The motorcycle, bearing registration number KGI 1312, was reportedly stolen from the Tipu Sultan area in 2021. Raza says he lodged a formal complaint at the Tipu Sultan Police Station soon after the theft.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. How can I be fined for a vehicle that hasn’t been in my possession for years?” he told reporters, holding a copy of the police report he filed at the time of the theft.
The incident has raised serious questions about the recently launched e-challan system introduced by the Karachi Traffic Police to modernise enforcement through camera-based monitoring and automatic ticketing.
While the initiative has been widely praised for improving accountability and discouraging violations, cases like Raza’s highlight the need for better data coordination between police departments. “If the stolen motorcycle is being driven around the city and showing up in e-challan cameras, shouldn’t that lead to its recovery?” asked Raza. “Instead, I’m the one being penalised.”
Despite such incidents, the e-challan system is expanding rapidly. In just four days, traffic police have issued 18,733 electronic challans across Karachi — worth over Rs 10 million. According to officials, 5,791 challans were issued in the last 24 hours alone. The majority of fines were for not wearing seat belts (3,546 cases) and riding motorcycles without helmets (1,555 cases).
Traffic authorities say the system is still in its initial phase and that such errors will be investigated. However, for citizens like Ali Raza, the experience has turned what was meant to be a step toward safer roads into a frustrating reminder of unresolved cases and uncoordinated systems.
“All I want,” Raza said, “is for the authorities to find my bike — not fine me for it.”