Karachi Traffic Police collect Rs 1.2 billion in fines in fiscal year 2023-24

KARACHI: The Karachi traffic police have amassed an impressive Rs 1.2 billion in fines over the past year for various traffic violations, according to recently released official data.

Between July 1, 2023 and the end of July 2024, over two million traffic tickets were issued, bringing the total fines to Rs 1,294,886,450, which translates to approximately Rs 3.5 million per day, Dawn news reported on Monday.

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Out of the Rs 1.2 billion, Rs 1.19 billion has been paid, while 114,142 violators still owe over Rs 100 million.

Despite Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon repeatedly stating that the traffic police should not be viewed as a revenue-generating body, the sheer volume of fines suggests otherwise, the news report added.

The police data reveals that 30 per cent of the challan amount is allocated to the traffic police, with the remaining 70 per cent going to the provincial government. This means the traffic police could potentially receive Rs 360 million from the total Rs 1.2 billion in fines.

However, Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Ahmed Nawaz Cheema mentioned that the traffic police have not received their share of the fines for the past four to five years. He explained that 15 per cent of the 30 per cent allocation is meant for cash rewards for officers, while the rest is designated for purchasing equipment.

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Cheema also highlighted that it is the clear policy of both the IGP and Karachi Police Chief Javed Odho that challans should primarily be issued for moving violations, such as wrong-way driving, traffic light violations, and vehicles without number plates. He claimed that after the IGP’s directive, the rate of traffic challans had decreased to one-third of what it was previously.

Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar criticised the situation, stating that despite Karachi contributing Rs 300-400 billion in taxes to the province, it is being pushed to the brink of collapse.