Without number plates or proper registration: Heavy vehicles should be taken into custody: minister

KARACHI: An important meeting of the review committee on the performance of the e-challan/TRACE system was held here on Tuesday, with its Chairman and Sindh Home Minister, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, presiding over it.

The meeting conducted a detailed review of traffic management in the province, the e-challan system, TRACE, and the implementation of the new traffic law. Members of the Sindh Assembly, including Asif Khan, Farooq Awan, Saadia Javed, Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi, Iftikhar Alam, Taha Ahmed, Shabbir Qureshi, Asif Moosa, the Secretary Law, Addl IG Karachi, and DIG Traffic attended the meeting.

DIG Traffic gave a detailed briefing on the e-challan system, TRACE system, implementation of the new traffic law, facilities being provided to citizens, and other important aspects related to traffic management.

During the meeting, all members held in-depth discussions on the agenda and presented their views regarding the TRACE system. Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi stated that they are not against the law; however, consideration should be given to reducing the challan amounts for motorcycles and small vehicles.

On this occasion, the Additional IG Karachi informed the meeting that the e-challan law has been formulated in accordance with international standards, while Javed Alam Odho stated that the implementation of the e-challan system has led to improved traffic management and a significant reduction in violations.

While addressing the meeting, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar directed that heavy vehicles without number plates or proper registration should be taken into custody immediately, and that it should be made mandatory for all heavy vehicles to install trackers within two months.

He also ordered immediate and strict action against the sale of revolving lights and the illegal tinting of vehicle windows.

The Home made it clear that vehicles with non-standard number plates are unacceptable on the roads and that no leniency will be shown in this regard. He stated that instead of citing examples from Lahore, the opposition should accept the reality that Karachi is Pakistan, and that solutions to its problems will be devised according to local needs.

The meeting also decided to establish an “Ambassador Section” within the Traffic Department to promote traffic awareness. Under this initiative, well-known personalities, including players from cricket, hockey, football, and other sports, as well as celebrities, will join traffic police on the roads at various times to raise public awareness about traffic laws.

The Minister said that he himself, along with all political leaders and prominent personalities, will actively participate in this awareness campaign.

He directed the preparation of comprehensive recommendations for the early installation of 400 new traffic light signals in Karachi, the formation of a Traffic Management Committee for the determination, structuring, and fair distribution of fines and challan amounts, and the digitization of payment of e-challan fines and registration of complaints.

He instructed that recommendations regarding the review of fines imposed on motorcycles and cars be submitted to the committee within one week, adding that making the traffic system effective, transparent, and citizen-friendly is the top priority of the Sindh Government.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025