Karachi — In a bold move to tighten traffic discipline, Karachi Traffic Police will soon deploy robot cars to automatically issue e-challans for no-parking violations, officials have announced. This follows the rapid adoption of the faceless e-challan system, which has already fined tens of thousands of drivers in recent weeks.
DIG Traffic Peer Muhammad Shah revealed that the new robotic patrols will begin operating next month along major roads such as Saddar and Tariq Road. Equipped with scanners, these robots will travel at about 20 km/h, monitoring vehicles and issuing instant fines when they spot illegal parking or lane violations.
To support this effort, “No Parking” and “No Two-Lane” signboards are being installed at strategic points across the city. According to DIG Shah, the robots’ automated system minimizes human bias and increases enforcement efficiency.
This initiative adds a high-tech dimension to Karachi’s E-Tracks system, making it the third method for issuing e-challans after cameras and manual checks. The move comes as the city grapples with mounting complaints over illegal parking and crowding on busy roads.
Meanwhile, Karachi Traffic Police have already issued more than 48,000 e-challans in just two weeks under the expanded enforcement program. For context, an independent report also noted that the e-challan system issued over Rs 12.5 million in fines in just six hours, covering violations from seat belt breaches to no-parking offences.
Some residents have welcomed the robot cars as a step toward accountability, while others question whether automated enforcement might disproportionately affect lower-income drivers. The Karachi Traffic Police, for its part, says the goal is not just punishment but sustainable road behaviour and better compliance.
This development marks a new chapter in Karachi’s drive to integrate technology into traffic management. With robot cars set to hit the roads soon, the city may be moving toward a future where parking violators no longer escape unnoticed.
