e-challan: heavy fines hitting bikers hard, Sindh govt told Assembly

KARACHI: The e-challan issue finally reached the Sindh Assembly on Friday, with the opposition arguing that heavy fines were hitting bikers hard, while the government refused to offer concessions but agreed to form a parliamentary review committee.

Leader of the Opposition Ali Khurshidi raised the matter of e-challan and hefty fines during the session. He said the e-challan system in Karachi had become a serious problem. According to him, although such systems are important in developed societies, the scheme in the metropolis was launched in a hurry and citizens were suddenly burdened with heavy fines. He said most motorbike riders are poor and cannot afford thousands of rupees in penalties. He requested the formation of a parliamentary committee to review the matter and said that parliament is the supreme authority. He also argued that fines should be reduced and that e-challans should not be limited to Karachi alone.

Khurshidi complained that traffic jams now seem to be happening under a deliberate plan and that it took him almost an hour and a half to reach the Assembly from his home.

Responding to his concerns, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia Ul Hasan Lanjar said the government aimed to improve life for Karachi’s residents. He explained that the megacity used to face many traffic jams and accidents, and the new system was not introduced suddenly.

He said the fine for motorcyclists is two-and-a-half thousand rupees and that the rule is meant to protect lives by making helmets compulsory. He added that e-challans are also being issued in Hyderabad and Sukkur and driving licences are being checked regularly.

According to him, Karachi’s traffic system is still far from fully improved. He said that although challans worth seventy-one Crore rupees have been issued, the amount has not yet been collected. He noted that first-time offenders will be forgiven, but repeat violations will lead to double fines.

Lanjar added that although the system may have some technical issues, the government’s intentions are clear and sincere, and that fines are not based on how much a person can pay, pointing out that fines in Lahore are even higher. He agreed to form a parliamentary committee and arrange meetings with traffic officials.

During the session, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Health Engineering Saleem Baloch told the Assembly that Sindh is using advanced technology to make drinking water safe. He said that in Rohri two major water projects are almost ninety-five percent complete and will be finished within a month.

He explained that Asia’s largest water-filtration plant is operating in Tharparkar, where eight hundred and thirty-two RO plants have been installed. He said many RO plants are being converted to solar power because electricity and generator problems are common.

He admitted that some RO plants are not working due to technical issues but will be fixed soon. He said the department is facing financial pressure, especially after salary increases, but the government is committed to bringing clean water to every home in Sindh.

Members also raised several public-interest issues through their attention notices. MQM’s Sabir Qaimkhani complained that local residents near the Detha Toll Plaza on Mirpurkhas Road were being charged toll tax even though global practice is to charge only for the distance travelled. He said residents of Tando Allahyar, Tando Jam, and Mirpurkhas were being treated unfairly.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025