Many vehicle owners in Pakistan have received e-challans for violations they did not commit. The culprit? Someone else duplicates their vehicle’s number plate and uses it illegally, causing the original owner to face a fine.
If you’ve ever received a wrong e-challan on your vehicle due to cloned number plates, here’s a complete guide to help you verify, report, and resolve the issue particularly in Lahore and Karachi
TL;DR: Quick Steps to Resolve Wrong E-Challan
- Verify your e-challan on your city’s Safe City or Excise website (MTMIS Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, KPK).
- Check for plate cloning by reviewing the violation footage at your local Safe City office.
- Gather documents: CNIC, vehicle registration book/card, wrong challan notice, and clear car photos.
- Visit PSCA (Lahore) or Traffic Police HQ (Karachi) to request verification and correction.
- File an FIR if cloning or fraud is confirmed.
- Stay updated via traffic police apps or social media pages listed below.
Understanding the E-Challan System
In major cities like Lahore and Karachi, traffic monitoring has become highly automated. The Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) manages e-challans in Punjab, while the Sindh Police Safe City Project oversees them in Karachi.
Both systems rely on a network of high-definition cameras installed across roads and intersections. These cameras detect violations such as speeding, red-light jumping, and lane changes, and capture the vehicle’s registration number.
Once processed, the system automatically generates an e-challan, which is sent to the registered owner’s address within 48 hours and is also available online.
While this innovative technology has improved enforcement efficiency, it has also created new issues, especially when fraudulent or duplicate number plates are involved.
Why Do Wrong E-Challans Happen?
There are several reasons an original car owner may receive an e-challan in error. The causes are as follows.
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Cloned or Fake Number Plate
Car owners sometimes mistakenly receive a wrong e-challan due to cloned or fake number plates. The fraudsters usually use a copied number plate on another vehicle. The traffic police capture the cloned vehicle. Eventually, the original car owner gets the challan.
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Poor Quality or Blurred Image
The automated cameras sometimes fail to read images properly due to poor image quality or blurriness. Due to the misreading of the number plate, the owners get the wrong e-challans.
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Errors in Old Registration Records
Another main reason for obtaining a fake e-challan is errors in the registration documents. If your vehicle is sold or transferred and the Excise and Taxation Department database isn’t updated, it can cause errors due to outdated records.
Therefore, the seller must visit the online vehicle registration website to verify whether the car has been transferred to the buyer’s name.
If the data is outdated, the seller should request corrections. They can also check vehicle verification details online through MTMIS, specific to their region, such as Punjab, Sindh (Karachi), Islamabad, or KPK.
For More Information, You May Also Like To Read:
How To Verify Vehicle Documents Through MTMIS Punjab?
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Handmade Number Plates by Local Workshops
Some local workshops issue handmade number plates that match the original owner’s registration number plates. It puts the legitimate holder at risk and is also used in crimes.
Now we will learn how to resolve the issue of fake e-challans. If you are interested, keep reading this blog.
Lahore: How to Resolve a Wrong E-Challan
The Punjab Safe City Authority manages the e-challan system in Lahore in collaboration with the City Traffic Police Lahore. The system detects traffic violations, including speeding and running red lights, through integrated automated smart cameras.
After detecting the violation, the system records the vehicle’s registration plate, sends a fine notice to the registered owner’s address within 48 hours via courier, and displays it online.
E-Challan by Punjab Safety City Authority
If you’re in Lahore or anywhere in Punjab and receive an incorrect e-challan, you can have it verified through the PSCA. Here’s what you need to do: Visit the PSCA Head Office near Qurban Lines, Lahore, and bring along:
- Your CNIC
- Vehicle registration book or card
- The incorrect challan notice
- Clear photos of your car showing its number plates
At the PSCA office, you can request footage verification for the violation in question if the footage confirms that your vehicle wasn’t involved or that the plate has been cloned. After verification, the authority will cancel or correct the e-challan in your record. You can pay e-challan via ATM, mobile app, one link or in any branch of National Bank and Bank of Punjab (BOP).
PSCA and Traffic Police Helpline Numbers
| Department | Helpline / Contact |
| Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) | 15 (Police Helpline) or 042-99051606 |
| City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) | 042-99204619-20 |
| Email City Traffic Police | [email protected] |
| Excise & Taxation Department Punjab | 0800-08786 |
| Official Website / Excise and Taxation Department | https://excise.punjab.gov.pk/ |
You can also check your vehicle’s status or pending challans online through the MTMIS Punjab portal.
Karachi: How to Resolve a Wrong E-Challan
Karachi’s e-challan system has recently expanded under the “Sindh Police Safety City” initiative. Once a challan is issued for a traffic violation, it is sent via Pakistan Post to the address associated with the vehicle’s license plate.
Therefore, vehicle owners should check the online registration status of their vehicle with the Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control Department, Sindh (especially if they have sold their vehicle). This can help them avoid unnecessary fines or penalties.
If someone has used a replica number plate on the original owner’s vehicle and believes the challan was issued incorrectly, they can visit the nearest traffic police station to file a complaint.
There, they can request video verification of the violation. If the footage shows a vehicle with cloned plates, the challan will be dismissed from their record immediately.
Sindh Police Karachi and Excise Contact Details
| Department | Helpline / Contact |
| Sindh Police (Traffic Branch) | 1715 (Traffic Police Helpline) or 0219-9216355. |
| Karachi Traffic Police Headquarters | 021-99256547 |
| Sindh Traffic Police Email Address | [email protected] |
| Excise & Taxation Department Sindh Contact Number | 92-21-99231410 |
| Email Address/ Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control Department | [email protected] |
You May Also Like To Read:
Karachi’s Record-High E-Challan Fines Are a Wake-Up Call for Motorists
When Cloning or Fraud Is Confirmed
If the authorities confirm that your vehicle number plate has been cloned, the next step is to file an FIR against the unidentified offender. This is essential for clearing your record and preventing further misuse of your number plate.
You can file the FIR at your nearest police station or call the PSCA and Traffic Police helplines mentioned above for guidance.
Social Media Platforms For PSCA
- Twitter (X): https://x.com/PSCAGOP
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/punjabsafecities/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/punjabsafecities/?hl=en
Social Media Platforms For Sindh Traffic Police
- Twitter (X): https://x.com/Khitrafficpol
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karachitrafficpoliceofficial/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/policesindh/?hl=en
Final Thoughts
Receiving a wrong e-challan can be stressful, especially when it’s due to someone else’s carelessness or fraud. But the good news is — resolving it is completely doable.
By verifying your challan, checking official footage, and keeping your vehicle records updated, you can protect yourself from future hassles.
Staying proactive, alert, and connected with your city’s Safe City authorities ensures peace of mind — and helps fight the growing issue of number plate cloning in Pakistan.
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