A decision has been made to establish traffic courts in Karachi to curb traffic violations. IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon has also presented details of heavy fines for violating traffic laws.
IG Sindh stated that the fines should be so strict that no one even thinks about violating the law again. The cabinet has approved the laws, which will be implemented after the Chief Minister’s approval.
According to him, amendments to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance will be made through the assembly. Under the new law, fines could range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 250,000. For violations that pose a threat to life, the fine could be 10 times higher or even more.
Ghulam Nabi Memon stated that if the fine is not paid within 21 days, it will be doubled; after 90 days, the driving license will be cancelled, and after 180 days, the national identity card will be blocked.
He further added that the government is also introducing traffic courts where citizens can appeal against fines, and they will be shown evidence of their violation in court.
IG Sindh said that with the government’s approval, the manual traffic system will be abolished. To avoid transparency concerns after increasing fines, challans will be sent via courier to homes along with evidence of the violation.
He said that earlier, due to low fines, people repeatedly violated laws, but now the fines will be so strict that no one will even think about violating them again. The new law and e-ticketing system will positively impact the city’s traffic.
According to IG Sindh, under the new law, installing cameras and trackers in all heavy vehicles will be mandatory. Any vehicle that overspeeds will immediately have a challan issued to the owner. He also mentioned that ITS cameras were part of the third phase of the Safe City Project, but it has now been decided to activate them effectively in the first phase.
