What to do if you receive a wrong e-challan in Pakistan

It’s becoming an increasingly common headache for vehicle owners across Pakistan: receiving an e-challan for a traffic violation they never committed.

If you’re wondering what to do if you receive a wrong e-challan in Pakistan, the first step is to understand why it happens.

In many cases, someone may have duplicated your vehicle’s number plate and used it illegally, though there can be other reasons too. Don’t panic—there are clear steps to verify, report, and resolve the issue.

How the e-challan system works

In major cities such as Lahore and Karachi, traffic monitoring is now handled through smart surveillance systems. In Punjab, the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) oversees this process, while Karachi operates under the Sindh Police Safe City Project.

Both rely on high-definition cameras positioned at intersections to detect offences like speeding or red-light jumping. These cameras automatically record the vehicle’s registration number and issue an e-challan to the owner. The notice is sent to the registered address within 48 hours and is also uploaded online.

While the system has made traffic management more efficient, it occasionally leads to mistakes—mainly when number plates are cloned or registration data is outdated.

Why you might get a wrong e-challan

Wrong e-challans often occur due to cloned or duplicate number plates, where fraudsters copy legitimate registration numbers. Sometimes, poor-quality camera footage leads to misread plates and incorrect fines.

Outdated registration data can also cause old owners to receive challans for vehicles they no longer own. Additionally, handmade or non-standard number plates increase the risk of duplication and misuse. Vehicle owners should always verify their records on regional MTMIS websites and ensure their plates are officially issued.

Steps to fix a wrong e-challan

If you’re in Lahore or anywhere in Punjab, visit the PSCA Head Office near Qurban Lines. Take along your CNIC, vehicle registration book or card, the incorrect challan notice, and clear photos of your car with number plates visible.

Request footage verification at the office. If the footage confirms your vehicle wasn’t involved, PSCA will cancel or correct the e-challan.

For Karachi residents, visit the Traffic Police Headquarters with the same set of documents. Officials will review the violation footage and correct your record if it is confirmed to be an error or a case of number plate cloning.

If cloning or fraud is verified, it is advisable to file an FIR at your nearest police station to prevent further misuse of your vehicle’s registration number.