Rawalpindi Motorists Outraged as They Face Double Fines for One Violation

Road users in the twin cities are furious after being slapped with two fines for the same mistake, once by a traffic warden and again by the SafeCity system’s automated cameras. 

Drivers say this “double-challan” regime is unfair and financially punishing motorists without real accountability.

Officials justify the dual fines by claiming the automated system operates independently of traffic police, meaning drivers must settle both penalties or risk vehicle impoundment.

According to the Tribune, motorists, including Qalandar Abbasi and Asif Khan, have publicly protested, calling for the fines to be reformed into a single, fair penalty and for rates to be cut from Rs2,000 to Rs500. 

They argue that the current approach punishes citizens twice for a single error and creates unnecessary financial stress. Local legal voices are joining the outcry. 

Advocate Tariq Mahmood Sajid Awan, President of the Rawalpindi District Bar Association, confirmed that lawyers will meet city traffic officials, the City Traffic Police, and the Deputy Commissioner this week to push for more citizen-friendly enforcement and reduced challans.

Commuters want practical reforms, transparent fine challenges, and an end to redundant penalties that feel like revenue collection rather than road safety enforcement.