KARACHI – Authorities have announced a stringent crackdown on unlicensed motorcycle riders, imposing fines of up to Rs20,000 for those caught driving without a valid license in Karachi.
The new measures come as part of the city’s efforts to curb road accidents and enforce traffic laws more effectively.
DIG Traffic, Peer Muhammad Shah, has urged citizens to obtain or renew their driving licenses immediately, warning that there will be no leniency in the future.
“Any individual driving a motorcycle or vehicle without a valid driving license will face a fine of up to 20,000 rupees,” he stated.
The crackdown has been prompted by the alarming increase in road accidents caused by unlicensed motorcycle riders, especially in Karachi, where a large portion of the population operates vehicles without proper licenses.
DIG Shah emphasized that traffic violations, including over-speeding, seatbelt non-compliance, and failure to wear helmets, were among the key factors contributing to the city’s rising accident rate.
As part of the new enforcement, the Karachi Traffic Police has introduced a face-less e-challan system. The system automatically records traffic violations, eliminating direct interaction between police officers and the public.
In just the first six hours of the system’s launch, more than 2,600 e-challans were issued, amounting to nearly Rs12.5 million in fines.
The majority of the fines were issued for seatbelt violations (1,535), followed by helmet violations (507), over-speeding (419), running red lights (166), and lane violations (3).
DIG Shah also noted that the e-challan system is continuously being refined to improve its efficiency, ensuring that violators receive immediate notifications for their violations. “Citizens must regularly check their e-challans and pay fines promptly to avoid further penalties, such as license suspension or vehicle impounding,” he added.
This new initiative aims to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement by reducing human contact, which is expected to foster a more efficient and reliable traffic system.
The authorities have also set a speed limit of 60 km/h for all vehicles, both large and small, with over-speeding violations attracting fines.
