Sindh govt moves to lower e-challan fines for bikers in Karachi

The Sindh government has agreed to reduce heavy traffic fines imposed on motorcyclists in Karachi following discussions in a special committee of the Sindh Assembly on e-challans.

Sources said the decision was taken during a meeting of the assembly’s special committee on e-challans, convened at the demand of Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi. The meeting was chaired by Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar.

The government has also agreed to lower fines for vehicles with engine capacities of up to 1,000cc. Speaking during the meeting, Khursheedi said the opposition had not merely raised slogans but had taken practical steps to address the issue. “We are not against e-challans, but we are striving to reduce the excessively heavy fines,” he said.

Home Minister Lanjar said the government lacked sufficient resources to spend extensively on infrastructure-related measures.

Earlier, addressing a meeting of the provincial assembly’s interior committee, Khursheedi said increasing fines alone was not a solution to Karachi’s traffic problems. “Along with fines, functional traffic signals and clear lane markings are also essential,” he said.

He said most roads in Karachi lacked proper lane markings and that traffic signals were either absent or not functioning correctly. “There is no lane marking on most roads, nor are traffic signals working properly,” he said, calling for a reduction in heavy fines for motorcyclists.

Khursheedi said imposing disproportionate penalties on the poor and middle class was unjust. “Harsh fines without improving infrastructure are unacceptable,” he said, adding that transparency and reform were needed in the enforcement of traffic laws.

The move comes amid growing public criticism of Karachi’s e-challan system, particularly over what many describe as excessive fines for low-income commuters.