The newly launched e-challan system for traffic violations in Karachi has turned into a nightmare for motorists, with more than 6,000 fines issued in just two days and thousands more being processed.

The total amount of penalties has already exceeded Rs35 million.

According to the traffic police, most challans were issued for overspeeding, tinted windows, not wearing seat belts, and signal violations.

Over 500 tickets were issued to motorcyclists riding without helmets.

Under the new fine structure, a motorcyclist caught driving in the wrong direction faces a penalty of Rs25,000, while car drivers can be fined Rs30,000, jeep drivers Rs50,000, and truck or dumper operators up to Rs100,000.

Motorcyclists caught exceeding speed limits will also have to pay Rs5,000.

However, the steep fines have drawn sharp criticism from Karachi residents, who question why penalties in Karachi are significantly higher as compared to other cities like Lahore and Islamabad.

In Lahore, motorcyclists are fined Rs200 for overspeeding, car drivers Rs750, and Rs2,000 for riding without a helmet, under the e-challan system.

In Lahore, violating a signal results in a Rs500 fine for cars or jeeps and Rs1,000 for heavy vehicles.

Meanwhile, the e-challan system in Islamabad has been temporarily suspended due to the installation of new cameras.

Once operational, fines will range from Rs1,000 for motorcycles to Rs2,500 for heavy vehicles.

Defending Karachi’s strict system, Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar said, “Where there is a traffic signal, there will be an e-challan.”

He added that 2,600 challans were issued on Tuesday alone, calling it a reasonable number for a city of Karachi’s size.

Lanjar further announced plans to install 12,000 cameras across the city within the next 12 to 18 months to modernise traffic monitoring and enforcement.

Citizens, however, argue that while maintaining order is important, penalties should not be so excessive that they instil fear rather than discipline among motorists.