Pakistan’s First Drone Based Challan System Begins in Karachi

Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, has taken a big step toward modern traffic enforcement. For the first time in the country’s history, drone-based e-challans have been launched there. Traffic police and the Safe City Authority started using drones to monitor traffic violations from the sky and issue challans without human contact. This move aims to make traffic enforcement faster, more accurate and fairer for the public.

Karachi has always struggled with chaotic traffic, heavy congestion and constant rule-breaking. For years, traffic police tried to manage this with on-ground checkpoints and cameras placed along major roads. These tools helped a bit, but they had limits. Officers could not be everywhere at once. Many violations happened in busy markets, side streets and crowded commercial zones where ground patrols were not enough. The drone system changes that. It lets authorities watch wide areas from above and catch violations in real time.

The first drones flew over Saddar and nearby areas soon after the launch. They spotted illegal and double-parking at peak evening hours on busy streets. Traffic police then issued e-challans to the vehicle owners. Two vehicles were fined 10,000 rupees each, and the tickets were sent without face-to-face contact. That was the first time aerial surveillance was used to catch traffic violations in Pakistan. Daily Times

Under this system, drones are equipped with modern cameras linked to the Safe City network. As they hover over key roads and markets, they record violations like no-parking, double parking and other rule breaches. High-resolution video and photos are used as proof. Once a violation is confirmed, the challan is generated electronically and sent to the owner’s address or phone. This cuts out confusion, arguments and bribery that sometimes happen when officers work only on the ground.

Officials say this is just the beginning. After initial operations in Saddar, Karachi traffic police plan to expand drone surveillance to other major areas like Tariq Road, Rashid Minhas Road and other busy commercial streets. They have already installed new traffic signs in no-parking zones so drivers know where drones are watching. Police believe this will help drivers follow rules more strictly and reduce illegal parking that blocks traffic lanes.

The launch of the drone-based challan system fits into Karachi’s larger Safe City Project. The city already uses a wide network of CCTV cameras and digital tools to monitor traffic and public safety. Drones add a new layer of flexibility and reach. They can patrol areas that are hard to cover with fixed cameras alone. Traffic police also say that this system cuts direct interaction between drivers and officers. That should reduce the chances of corruption and disputes on the road.

Public reaction has been mixed. Many people welcome the change because it makes enforcement fairer and roads safer. Drivers now know that breaking rules may be recorded from above. But some have questions about privacy and how footage is stored. For now, authorities say the drone video will be used only for official traffic monitoring. They also say drivers who pay their fines within 14 days can get a discount. After that period, fines will increase.

This shift to drone-based enforcement shows a new direction for Pakistan’s cities. Traffic problems are not just about catching violators. They are about changing driving habits and making the roads safer for everyone. If Karachi’s trial goes well, other cities may adopt similar systems. Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi could also start using drones for traffic enforcement soon.

In short, Karachi’s launch of the drone-based challan system is a major development. It brings better technology into everyday law enforcement. It makes challans clearer and harder to dispute. Most of all, it aims to improve safety on the city’s crowded streets. This historic step could mark the start of a new kind of traffic management in Pakistan.