Number Plate Cloning Raises Alarm After Wrong E-Challans in Karachi

A Karachi resident has flagged a serious issue after receiving two traffic fines. Both notices accused him of not wearing a seat belt. However, he said his car stayed parked at home during both incidents. The case has again highlighted fears around number plate cloning.
The citizen received two electronic challans within 25 days. Each fine carried a penalty of Rs10,000. Officials issued both notices against his 1987-model car. Yet, the photos showed a newer vehicle using the same registration number.

Details of the Challans

The first challan appeared on November 23 near Punjab Chowrangi. The second followed on December 18 at the Hub Toll Plaza. In both cases, images showed the same driver behind the wheel. Therefore, the owner questioned how authorities linked the offence to his vehicle.
Officials suspect number plate cloning by criminal groups. Such groups often copy registration numbers and place them on other cars. These vehicles then travel across provinces, including Balochistan. As a result, enforcement systems wrongly flag innocent owners.
Police advised the citizen to submit a formal application. They also asked for ownership documents and vehicle records. Authorities said this step would help correct the data and trace the cloned plate.

System Glitches and Public Concerns

Karachi introduced the Traffic Response and Control System to improve enforcement. The system has helped manage traffic flow. However, technical flaws continue to trouble residents.
Many complaints involve sold, scrapped, or stolen vehicles. Errors also appear when cloned plates enter the system. Therefore, public trust in automation has weakened.
Last month, another resident faced a similar problem. He received a Rs25,000 fine for a violation near Avari Tower. At that time, his car stood parked in Gulistan-e-Johar.
These cases show the growing impact of number plate cloning. Citizens now urge authorities to improve checks, accuracy, and accountability.