Beware drivers: LHC suspends decision on e-challan system

Lahore High Court (LHC) Thursday suspended a single bench decision to make it illegal to challan e-tickets via Safe City cameras, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A two-judge court consisting of Judge Ali Baqar Najafi and Judge Asjad Javed Gharal heard the Punjab government's appeal.

The court sent a notice to the parties in the Punjab government’s intra court appeal.

Additional Attorney General Malik Akhtar Javed, on behalf of the Punjab government, argued that the single bench had issued the order on the application, on which the Punjab government was not made a party.

He said the Safe City Law of 2016 is a special law under which the electronic ticketing system is clearly regulated, adding that the Section 116A of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance is referenced in the Safe City Regulations 2016.

He went on to say that the control of the traffic system through the issuance of electronic tickets through the Safe City cameras does not fall into the category of illegal.

Judge Asjad Javed Gharal said how an e-challan can be issued through the Safe City cameras without changing the law.

The law enforcement officer replied that the single bench had canceled the e-ticketing challan initiative, adding that’s why amendment is not possible.

Judge Ali Baqar Najafi, while speaking to the Additional Advocate General, said that the single court ordered to amend the law for e-challan.

The Additional Advocate General said that the challan electronic ticketing system is available in many countries, adding that the use of which improves the traffic system. He said: “That's why we want to bring the e-challan ticketing system via Safe City cameras here”.

The law enforcement officer requested that the decision of the single court be annulled by the court.

It was further requested that the decision be suspended until the final decision.