E-Challan Karachi Check by Vehicle Number – Complete Online Guide 2025

Getting an E-Challan for a vehicle you don’t own or a violation you never committed can be stressful and confusing. But with the rise of number plate fraud, cloning, and database errors, this problem is becoming more common in Punjab and other parts of Pakistan.

The good news?
If you act quickly and follow the official process, you can prove your innocence, cancel wrong challans, and protect your vehicle identity.

This complete 2025 guide explains:

• How the E-Challan system works
• Why you might receive someone else’s challans
• How to verify if a challan really belongs to you
• Step-by-step process to dispute and fix wrong or fake challans
• How to protect yourself from number plate fraud in the future

1. How the E-Challan System Works in Punjab

The E-Challan system in Punjab is operated by the:

• Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA)
• In partnership with City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL)

The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed across major cities such as:

• Lahore
• Faisalabad
• Multan
• Rawalpindi
• Gujranwala
• Bahawalpur

These high-definition cameras automatically detect traffic violations like:

• Over-speeding
• Red-signal jumping
• Wrong-lane or one-way violations
• Illegal or wrong parking
• Riding without a helmet
• Driving without a seatbelt

Once a violation is captured:

1. The system reads the number plate using ANPR
2. It matches it with the Excise & Taxation Department Punjab database
3. A digital E-Challan is generated in the name of the registered owner
4. The challan is:
   • Sent to the registered postal address
   • Available online via the Official E-Challan Portal
   • Often viewable via platforms like ePay Punjab and support hubs like e-challans.pk (for guidance and links)

You can verify or pay your challan through:

• National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) branches
• Official E-Challan Portal (PSCA)
• ePay Punjab App
• Compatible mobile banking apps and ATMs

2. Why You Might Receive Someone Else’s E-Challan

If you’re getting E-Challans for a vehicle you don’t use or don’t own, it usually means there’s a technical, data, or identity issue somewhere.

2.1 Number Plate Fraud / Cloning

This is one of the most serious reasons.

• Criminals or careless users duplicate a legitimate number plate and install it on another vehicle
• When that cloned vehicle commits violations, the real owner (you) receives the challan
• This is called number plate fraud or cloning and is sadly common in some areas

2.2 Camera Misreading or Poor Image Quality

ANPR cameras are smart, but not perfect.

Errors can happen due to:

• Poor lighting (night-time, glare, fog)
• Dusty, rusty, damaged, or bent plates
• Motion blur if the vehicle is moving fast
• Non-standard fonts or stylized plates

In such cases, the camera may misread one or more digits, causing the violation to be assigned to the wrong number plate.

2.3 Outdated or Incorrect Registration Data

If:

• You sold your car but did not properly transfer ownership
• Your vehicle details were incorrectly entered in the Excise database
• Old data is still attached to your CNIC

…then someone else’s violations may still appear under your name or number plate.

2.4 Fake Plates From Unauthorized Vendors

Some workshops produce unauthorized or fake plates that copy existing numbers.

These plates may be used for:

• Avoiding detection
• Illegal activities
• Driving without proper registration

In such cases, the original, legal owner becomes the victim of wrong challans and legal risk.

3. How to Check if the E-Challan Actually Belongs to You

Before panicking or paying, always verify the challan carefully.

Step 1 – Check Online on the Official Portal

Visit the official PSCA E-Challan portal:

• PSCA Portal: https://echallan.psca.gop.pk
• Guidance hub (links & info): https://e-challans.pk

Enter:

• Your Vehicle Registration Number
• Your CNIC (if required)

You’ll see:

• All pending and paid challans
• Violation details
• Dates, times, and locations
• Fine amounts
• In most cases, photo evidence

Step 2 – Verify Vehicle Details

Check if the details on the challan match your vehicle:

• Make (Honda, Suzuki, Toyota, etc.)
• Model (Civic, Cultus, Corolla, etc.)
• Color (white, black, silver, etc.)

If the vehicle shown is different from yours, that’s a clear signal the challan is not valid for you.

Step 3 – Inspect the Violation Image

Most E-Challan entries include a camera-captured photo.

Look at:

• Vehicle shape and body style
• Number plate
• Color and visible features

If the car or bike in the image is not yours, or the plate looks fake or styled differently, you now have solid visual proof that:

• Either the system misread, or
• Someone is using your number plate fraudulently

4. What to Do If You Receive a Wrong or Fake E-Challan

If you’re sure the challan isn’t yours, here’s how to dispute and fix it.

4.1 Step 1 – Collect All Evidence

Prepare:

• Screenshot / print of the wrong challan (from PSCA portal)
• Photos of your actual vehicle and number plate (clear and close-up)
• Copy of your Vehicle Registration Card / Smart Card
• Copy of your CNIC

If applicable, also keep:

• Proof that your vehicle was somewhere else at the time (service record, GPS, toll receipt, etc.)

4.2 Step 2 – Visit the E-Challan Branch or CTPL Office

Go to your nearest:

• City Traffic Police E-Challan Branch, or
• In Lahore: PSCA Headquarters, Qurban Lines

Tell them clearly:

• You have received a wrong or fake E-Challan
• You suspect number plate cloning or camera error

Submit your documents for verification.

4.3 Step 3 – Submit a Written Complaint

You may be asked to file a written application stating:

• Your Name & CNIC
• Vehicle Registration Number
• E-Challan Number(s)
• A brief description of the issue:
  • e.g., “This is not my car”, “My car is a black Civic, image shows a white one”, or “Number plate has been misused/cloned.”

Attach:

• CNIC copy
• Registration card copy
• Print of wrong challan
• Any supporting images or documents

4.4 Step 4 – Track Your Case

Once your complaint is submitted:

• You’ll receive a reference number or acknowledgment
• PSCA / CTPL will review the evidence and verify the violation

If your claim is valid:

• The wrong or fake E-Challan will be cancelled from your record
• You may receive a confirmation SMS or be informed manually

4.5 Step 5 – File an FIR in Case of Confirmed Plate Fraud

If it’s confirmed that somebody else is:

• Using your number plate, or
• Has a fake / cloned plate matching yours

Then you should immediately file an FIR.

Legal section commonly used:

• Section 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) – fraud and cheating

Why this matters:

• It legally protects you from future false challans
• It creates an official record that your number plate was misused
• It helps law enforcement track and stop the illegal vehicle

5. Official Helplines & Contacts for Wrong / Fake E-Challans

You can contact the following departments for support:

You can also reach them via:

• Twitter (X): @PSCAGOP
• Facebook: Punjab Safe Cities Authority – Official Page

6. How to Protect Yourself from Number Plate Fraud

You can’t control what criminals do — but you can reduce your risk.

✅ 6.1 Verify Your Vehicle Data Regularly

Visit MTMIS Punjab or the Excise portal and ensure:

• Vehicle is registered under your correct CNIC
• Details like make, model, and color are accurate

✅ 6.2 Use Only Official Government Plates

Avoid:

• Market plates
• Custom fonts, fancy styles, or altered sizes

Always use original Excise-issued plates to:

• Improve ANPR accuracy
• Reduce chances of misreading
• Avoid fines for “wrong / fancy plate”

✅ 6.3 Report Duplicate or Suspicious Plates

If you ever see:

• Another car with your number plate
• Or a plate that looks suspiciously like yours

Immediately:

• Call 15
• Report it to PSCA / CTPL
• Note down location, time, and (if safe) a picture

✅ 6.4 Complete Ownership Transfer When Selling a Vehicle

When you sell your car:

• Don’t rely on “bayana” or handwritten agreements alone
• Make sure ownership is officially transferred in:
  • Excise office records
  • Digital systems

Until the transfer is complete, you remain responsible for challans and legal issues tied to that vehicle.

✅ 6.5 Install a Dashcam (Highly Recommended)

A simple dashcam can save you in many situations:

• Provides time-stamped video proof of your location
• Helps prove you weren’t at the violation site
• Supports your E-Challan dispute with solid evidence

7. Your Legal Rights & Remedies

Under Pakistan’s:

• Motor Vehicle Ordinance
• Cyber Crime & Fraud Laws

You have the right to:

✔ Dispute Wrong E-Challans

You can challenge any challan that:

• Does not match your vehicle
• Is based on wrong or outdated data
• Results from number plate cloning

✔ Submit Evidence for Review

You can provide:

• Photos
• Documents
• Dashcam footage
• Location proof

Authorities must review and respond to your complaint.

✔ Request Cancellation or Correction

If the challan is proven wrong, you can demand:

• Cancellation of the challan
• Correction of records linked to your CNIC or vehicle

✔ Refund or Adjustment (If You Already Paid)

If you mistakenly paid a wrong E-Challan:

• Visit the CTPL Finance or Accounts Section
• Request:
  • Refund, or
  • Adjustment against future valid challans (where applicable)

8. Example Case Study – How One Driver Cleared His Record

Case:
Mr. Ahmed from Lahore received three E-Challans for a white Honda Civic.

Problem?
His own vehicle was a black Honda Civic with the same registration number.

What He Did

1. Visited the PSCA E-Challan portal
2. Downloaded the violation photos
3. Printed the challans and comparison photos of his own black car
4. Went to the E-Challan Branch at Qurban Lines
5. Filed a written complaint and attached all proof

Result

• PSCA confirmed the car in the images was not his
• Plate cloning was suspected
• They cancelled all three challans
• He was advised to file an FIR for number plate fraud

Within two weeks, his record was completely cleared.

9. Final Words – Don’t Ignore Wrong E-Challans

Getting an E-Challan for someone else’s vehicle is serious — but fixable.

If you notice a suspicious or incorrect challan:

1. Verify it online (PSCA Portal / guidance via e-challans.pk)
2. Check the photo, vehicle details, and violation
3. Collect evidence and submit a proper complaint
4. Follow up with PSCA / CTPL until the issue is resolved
5. If fraud is confirmed, file an FIR to protect yourself

Never ignore an E-Challan — even if you think it’s a “system mistake.”
Early action protects your:

• Driving record
• CNIC history
• Legal safety

Stay alert, use only official channels, and always keep your vehicle documents updated. This way, even if someone misuses your number plate, you’ll have everything you need to clear your name quickly and confidently.