KARACHI: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic Karachi Pir Muhammad Shah has proposed increasing traffic fines in the city from June to reduce violations and improve road safety.
The proposed fines include Rs. 5,000 for motorcyclists, Rs. 10,000 for cars, Rs. 20,000 for buses, and up to Rs. 25,000 for heavy vehicles. Speaking to the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Shah emphasised that while penalties are important, solving traffic issues requires public awareness, effective law enforcement, and stakeholder cooperation.
Shah also introduced a strict proposal of a Rs. 100,000 fine for violations such as one-way and wrong-side driving, describing such actions as posing a significant danger, equivalent to attempted murder. He stressed that these violations would be treated as criminal offences.
To enhance monitoring, Shah revealed that over 7,000 heavy vehicles in Karachi have already been equipped with GPS trackers. Additionally, he proposed making it mandatory for all heavy vehicles to have four surveillance cameras, which would provide live monitoring of driver behaviour.
Vehicles without cameras would face fines. Shah also noted that overloaded vehicles are contributing to increased traffic accidents, with dumpers and trailers carrying far more than their intended capacity, leading to brake failures and fatal accidents.
In a bid to improve driver safety, the DIG mentioned that modern laboratories are being set up for drug testing of drivers, where six types of dope tests will be conducted. He also proposed a new Karachi Driving Institute (KDI) initiative in partnership with the private sector, which would include mandatory 30-hour training for new driving license applicants.
Shah also discussed the potential introduction of a point-based license system, where points would be deducted for each traffic violation. Once a certain threshold is reached, the driver’s license would be suspended or cancelled, following international models.
Additionally, a “faceless ticketing system” will be introduced next month, starting on Shahrah-e-Faisal, I.I. Chundrigar Road, and Saddar. Traffic violations will be detected through CCTV, and e-challans will be sent to vehicle owners.
A 50% discount will be offered for payment within 14 days, while late payments will incur additional penalties.
Shah highlighted that Karachi’s daily challan rate is around 4,000, compared to 17,000 in Lahore, noting that low fines in Sindh contribute to weak law enforcement and more violations.
Earlier, KATI President Junaid Naqi pointed out that growing traffic congestion in the Korangi Industrial Area is affecting industrial productivity. He attributed the problem to the increasing number of vehicles and ongoing construction projects, such as the Jam Sadiq Bridge, Qayyumabad Flyover, and Causeway. Naqi added that KATI is collaborating with authorities to raise awareness about traffic laws and improve compliance.
