Traffic authorities in Karachi have reinstated on-the-spot fines to address the rising number of violations and misuse of vehicle number plates, aiming to improve enforcement and restore traffic discipline across the city.
During an event organized by the National Forum for Environment and Health, Traffic Police Chief Pir Muhammad Shah announced that officers will be redeployed at key intersections, where they will be authorized to issue immediate fines to violators and ensure stricter implementation of traffic laws.
The decision was made after authorities observed that many drivers were deliberately hiding or removing their number plates to evade the city’s limited camera-based monitoring system, creating challenges for law enforcement.
According to officials, nearly 70 percent of traffic violations involve vehicles with unclear or missing number plates, while the remaining 30 percent relate to incorrect or incomplete registration details.
Previously, the authority to issue on-the-spot fines had been withdrawn due to public complaints, including harassment and corruption concerns, in an effort to provide relief to citizens and improve the system.
However, relying solely on the electronic ticketing system exposed enforcement gaps, as the camera network currently covers only about 10 percent of Karachi, leaving many violations unrecorded.
Traffic police have identified around 60 major roads in the city as high-risk areas for violations, particularly involving one-way breaches and reckless driving.
According to DIG Pir Muhammad Shah, advanced surveillance systems will soon be installed on major roads, including Shahrah-e-Faisal, enabling authorities to detect violations such as mobile phone use while driving and heavy vehicles entering fast lanes.
Citizens have been warned that driving without proper number plates will result in immediate fines, while those awaiting the issuance of new Ajrak-designed plates have been advised to carry proof of application to avoid inconvenience.
