Drivers Fork Out Millions for Golden E-Challan Statue

By Saleem Mubarak

Ah, September in Lahore was a month when drivers were judged not by skill, but by how many zeros appeared on their e-challan statements.

It seems the entire city has developed a new national sport: paying fines without even blinking.

According to media reports, 68,000 challan tickets were issued in Lahore alone this month. Read that again–68,000!

If you’re counting, that’s roughly three luxury snacks, two cups of tea in Italian cups, and a dozen selfies per violation.

And don’t think this is just a local quirk; across the province, the numbers are climbing with every passing day as the ‘challan-hungry’ system detects ‘traffic violations’.

Now we just need to launch a search for the person who’s currently keeping the trophy for “Most Creative Way to Ignore a Stop Sign.”

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Now, let’s talk about money, as fines in Lahore are no joke these days. These violations brought in more than Rs. 21 crore—enough to buy, perhaps, one small island off the coast of Sindh, or a lifetime supply of samosas for a needy segment.

Every helmet-less rider and line-jumping driver must love the traffic department a lot, since they contributed so generously and without complaint.

Now people are beginning to wonder if these fines were ‘efficiently’ designed to enforce ‘traffic rules’ or fund a secret plan to build a giant golden e-challan statue in front of the Traffic Police Headquarter.

The crackdown’s targets are many: motorcyclists without helmets received their fair share of attention—resulting in about 30,000 challans in Lahore–another 93,000 across the province.

Thankfully, cyclists haven’t been on the system’s radar yet.

Maybe they’re discussing issuing permits to the bicycle riders– who are a ‘serious threat’ to motorists—or maybe it’s just a clever way to ensure no one enjoys the simple joy of exercise.

But car drivers were not left out either; speeding tickets alone accounted for a whopping 80,000 challans.

So if you happen to glance at your phone while overtaking, particularly a ‘slightly slow’ motorcycle rickshaw, you might find yourself in trouble with a fine large enough to fund your next lavish meal.

Forget thinking parking in the wrong spot is safe; think again and again. Illegal loading, line-cutting (not ribbon cutting), and other miscellaneous acts of urban rebellion generated fines exceeding Rs. 1 crore.

It seems the system has finally decided that bureaucracy is faster than braking.

The good folks at traffic headquarters are promising more fun and funds ahead. Soon, all types of violations–even checking your bike fuel tank with the light of a mobile phone– will be linked to e-licenses.

That means, if you’re caught driving a motorbike without a license, expect an immediate but polite digital slap to your bank account.

It’s a brave new world, where before the arrival of robots, traffic enforcement has gone fully virtual, and your smartphone has been tasked with personal accountability.

At this rate of challans, one can only imagine Lahore’s streets a few years from now: drivers wearing helmets made of precious metals, bicycles equipped with GPS trackers, and speed cameras taking 360-degree selfies to post on social media.

The lesson is clear for everyone: drive carefully—or be ready to pay generously.

After all, nothing says civic pride like a crisp e-challan receipt and the knowledge that at least someone somewhere is enjoying an international tour along with family and enjoying with your money.

And so, the moral of September in Lahore: obey traffic laws, or be prepared to fund someone else’s retirement—preferably with pomp and show and elegant style.

Disclaimer: Figures mentioned in the article are subject to a recount.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Award-winning investigative journalist with 20+ years of experience across Pakistan's leading news organisations, including 15+ years as Senior Staff Correspondent at Dawn. Driven by a lifelong passion for investigative journalism and human rights, with a proven record of hard-hitting stories that forced official action — from hospital negligence and illegal land grabs to harassment probes and social injustice. He is the recipient of the K.C. Kulish International Award for Excellence in Print Journalism.