Karachi Launches Pakistan’s First Drone-Based E-Challan System
Karachi has taken a landmark step toward modern traffic enforcement by launching Pakistan’s first-ever drone-based e-challan system. This innovative initiative positions the city at the forefront of digital policing, adding a new aerial dimension to traffic regulation efforts under the Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS)—a major component of the broader Safe City Project.
12/11/20252 min read
Aerial Monitoring Comes to Karachi
In its first phase, drones have been deployed across busy areas of Saddar, including Zaib-un-Nisa Street and surrounding commercial zones. These drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras that monitor violations such as:
Illegal parking
Double parking
Obstructions to traffic flow
Once a violation is detected, the footage is processed through the automated TRACS platform to generate a faceless e-challan—completely removing the need for on-ground officers or direct confrontation with motorists.
First Fines Issued
The system made an immediate impact. On the first day of operation, two vehicles were fined Rs. 10,000 each for illegal parking during peak traffic hours. Motorists can reduce their fine by 50% if they pay within 14 days, while penalties double after the deadline—an incentive designed to encourage timely compliance.
How the New System Works
The drone surveillance covers the route from Saddar’s Mobile Market to Abdullah Haroon Road, one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors. The footage streams directly to the Safe City control room where it is verified and processed.
This approach offers several benefits:
Transparency: Automated detection and challan generation minimize human intervention.
Efficiency: Aerial monitoring captures violations not easily visible from the ground.
Speed: The system can identify, record, and issue a challan within minutes.
Expanding Karachi’s Digital Traffic Ecosystem
Karachi’s shift toward automated enforcement isn’t entirely new—the city has been building a digital traffic ecosystem that includes fixed cameras, smart signals, and an online challan database. The introduction of drones significantly elevates this system, providing mobility, reach, and enhanced visibility.
Officials have confirmed plans to expand drone coverage to other congested areas of the city in the coming months, making this the beginning of a larger modernization push.
A Step Toward Smarter Urban Management
The drone-based e-challan initiative reflects Karachi’s growing use of technology to solve everyday urban challenges. With illegal parking being one of the city’s biggest contributors to congestion, this system is expected to improve:
Traffic flow
Road safety
Public convenience
Administrative efficiency
As Karachi grows, solutions like these signal a promising future—one where technology and governance work hand-in-hand to create more manageable and livable cities.
Disclaimer: This update is shared based on publicly available information. VOTG News is not responsible for any decisions made based on this news. The image is AI-generated only for illustration