SHC denies immediate stay order in E-Challan case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday denied the plea for issuance of an immediate restraining order against the e-challan system in Karachi, ARY News reported.

The high court is hearing petitions of Jamaat Islami, bus owners and citizens against the city’s e-challan system introduced by the Sindh government last month to control traffic violations.

The court has issued notices to the DIG traffic and other parties and summoned their reply.

The high court bench adjourned further hearing of the case until December 11.

The petitions questioned the disparity in fines, noting that a traffic challan in Lahore costs Rs200, whereas Karachi residents are fined Rs5,000, calling it “discrimination against Karachi’s citizens.”

“Don’t compare Karachi to other cities,” court said in an interchange with the petitioner’s lawyer. “Every place has its own dynamics, if Karachi can be compared to any other city,” the bench questioned.

“They don’t allow us to stop and take passengers,” bus owners lawyer said. “You stop your buses at bus stands,” the court directed.

“There are none of proper bus stops in Karachi,” lawyer said. “We are also living in this city know well it,” Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry remarked.

“The case will be heard simultaneously after replies of all parties received,” the court said.

According to the plea, Karachi’s entire infrastructure has deteriorated, with roads across the city in a state of disrepair, yet citizens are being burdened with heavy fines.

The petitioner argued that threatening to block national identity cards over unpaid challans is a violation of fundamental rights.

In a move to restore compliance of traffic rules in Karachi, the Sindh government has recently rolled out the E-Challan system. While some applauded this initiative as a step toward better traffic management, many citizens left scratching their heads over exorbitant fines.