Karachi: A decision has been made to establish traffic courts in the city of Karachi, IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon providing startling details about the fines to curb traffic violations.
IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon stated, "Traffic fines should be so high that no one even considers violating again. The cabinet has already approved the new laws, which will be enforced following the Chief Minister’s summary."
He further said that amendments to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance will be made through the assembly, and under the new law, fines will range from 5,000 to 2,00,000 rupees. Violations that could result in loss of life could lead to fines exceeding ten times the current amount or even more.
According to Ghulam Nabi Memon, within 21 days, fines will double; after 90 days, driving licenses will be canceled. If fines are still unpaid, after 180 days, the individual's CNIC (identity card) will be blocked.
He explained that following this law, the government is also introducing traffic courts. Citizens will have the right to appeal against fines in traffic courts, where evidence of the violation will be presented.
IG Sindh said that, with government approval, the manual traffic system will be discontinued. After increasing fines, transparency is a priority, and no one should question it. Traffic violations will be ticketed via courier and sent to the citizen's home, along with proof of the violation.
He mentioned that previously, fines were low, which led citizens to violate the law repeatedly at the next checkpoint. This is a standard practice worldwide—fines should be so high that repeat offenders think ten times before violating again. Legislation and e-ticketing will significantly impact Karachi's traffic management.
Ghulam Nabi Memon also said that all heavy vehicles will be required to have cameras and trackers installed. Vehicles that overspeed will receive an e-challan instantly sent to the owner.
He added that the ITS cameras are part of the third phase of the Safe City Project and emphasized that they should first be implemented properly in the initial phases.
