The Karachi traffic police have collected an astonishing Rs 1.2 billion in fines over the past year for various traffic violations, as revealed by recently released official data. From July 1, 2023, to the end of July 2024, more than two million traffic tickets were issued, amounting to Rs 1,294,886,450 in fines—averaging about Rs 3.5 million daily, according to a report by Dawn.
Of the Rs 1.2 billion in fines, Rs 1.19 billion has already been paid, while 114,142 violators still owe over Rs 100 million. Despite Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon’s assertions that the traffic police should not be seen as a revenue-generating entity, the volume of fines indicates a significant revenue stream.
The police data also shows that 30% of the challan (fine) amount is earmarked for the traffic police, with the remaining 70% going to the provincial government. This could potentially translate to Rs 360 million for the traffic police from the total fines collected.
However, Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Ahmed Nawaz Cheema noted that the traffic police have not received their share of the fines for the past four to five years. He explained that 15% of the 30% allocation is intended for cash rewards for officers, while the rest is for purchasing equipment.
Cheema further highlighted that the policy set by both the IGP and Karachi Police Chief Javed Odho emphasizes that traffic tickets should primarily target moving violations, such as wrong-way driving, traffic light violations, and vehicles without number plates. He claimed that following the IGP’s directive, the rate of traffic challans had decreased to one-third of its previous level.
