Witnessed reckless driving, an expired number plate, or a vehicle running a red light? You don’t need to flag down a traffic officer to report it. Here’s how to report a traffic violation online in Pakistan’s major cities, through official police and Safe City channels.
Two Different Things: Reporting vs. Automatic Detection
It helps to understand there are two separate systems at play. Many traffic violations in major cities are now detected automatically by Safe City CCTV cameras, which issue an e-challan (electronic fine) directly to the vehicle owner without any citizen involvement. Separately, there are official channels for citizens to actively report a violation they personally witnessed — reckless driving, a near-accident, illegal parking, or similar incidents the cameras may not have caught. This guide covers both.
Islamabad: Reporting a Violation You Witnessed
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police offers a few official ways to report an incident directly:
- Smart ICTP App: Available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, this app includes a “Report an Incident” feature alongside general complaints, FIR copies, and other citizen services.
- 1INFO App: A dedicated incident-reporting app connected directly to ICT Police for emergency and non-emergency reporting.
- Traffic Helpline: Call 1915 to report a traffic violation or request roadside assistance directly.
- IGP Complaint Cell: Call 1715 for complaints about police conduct or unresolved traffic matters, including cases where you believe a violation wasn’t handled correctly.
- Emergency Line: Dial 15 for urgent, safety-critical incidents.
You can also use the “Report an Incident” option listed under online services on the official Islamabad Police website at islamabadpolice.gov.pk.
Punjab (Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Other Cities): PSCA Channels
In Punjab, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) operates the Safe City camera network across Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha. Citizens can report incidents or safety concerns through the PSCA Public Safety app, available for download through PSCA’s official channels. Most routine violations in these cities, however, are captured automatically through the Safe City camera network itself and processed into e-challans without needing a citizen report.
Checking an E-Challan (Automatic Camera-Detected Violations)
If you’ve received an SMS notification about a camera-detected violation, or want to check whether a challan has been issued against your vehicle, each city’s traffic authority offers an online verification option:
- Islamabad: Check and pay through the official E-Challan Verification service at islamabadpolice.gov.pk
- Punjab (Lahore, Rawalpindi, etc.): Check through the Punjab Safe Cities Authority’s official e-challan portal
- Sindh (Karachi): Check through Sindh Police’s official challan verification channels
Typically, you’ll need your vehicle registration number or CNIC to look up any challan associated with your vehicle.
A Recent Update Worth Knowing: Islamabad’s Policy on Minor Violations
As of late September 2026, Islamabad traffic police have reportedly been directed to stop registering criminal FIR cases under Section 279 of the Pakistan Penal Code for ordinary traffic violations, issuing a standard fine instead. If you’re stopped for a routine violation in Islamabad and an officer tries to register a criminal case rather than issue a ticket, you can raise a complaint through the IGP Complaint Cell at 1715 and reference this directive. It’s also worth noting that Islamabad Traffic Police’s official fine schedule page has reportedly been unavailable recently — don’t trust a fine amount list circulating online unless it matches what’s printed on your own actual ticket.
What Happens After You Report a Violation
Once a report is submitted, whether through an app, helpline, or in-person complaint, it’s reviewed and assigned to the relevant traffic police unit. For witnessed incidents, especially those involving video or photo evidence, including specific details — location, time, vehicle registration number, and a description of what happened — significantly improves how quickly and effectively it can be acted on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report a traffic violation I witnessed but wasn’t involved in?
Yes. Islamabad’s Smart ICTP and 1INFO apps, along with Punjab’s PSCA Public Safety app, allow citizens to report incidents they’ve witnessed directly to the relevant traffic authority.
How do I know if I’ve received an e-challan?
Safe City cameras typically send an SMS notification to the vehicle owner’s registered mobile number when a violation is automatically detected. You can also check directly through your city’s official traffic police or Safe City portal using your vehicle registration number.
Is reporting a traffic violation online free?
Yes, submitting a report through official police apps, websites, or helplines is free. Paying an actual e-challan fine, if one is issued, involves the standard fine amount set for that violation.
What should I do if I believe I was wrongly fined or criminally charged for a minor violation?
Contact the relevant traffic authority’s complaint channel directly — for example, Islamabad’s IGP Complaint Cell at 1715 — and provide your ticket or FIR details for review.
Whether you’re reporting a violation you witnessed or simply checking your own vehicle’s status, Pakistan’s major cities now offer genuine, official online channels that remove the need to visit a traffic police office in person for most routine matters.
