KARACHI: In a groundbreaking move toward modernized traffic management, the Karachi Traffic Police has announced the deployment of autonomous robots as part of its expanding Smart Traffic System, known as the E-Tracks initiative.
Starting next month, these advanced robotic units — equipped with AI-powered sensors and high-resolution cameras — will patrol key city routes such as Saddar, Tariq Road, and Sharae Faisal, issuing e-challans automatically for traffic violations.
According to officials, the robots will operate at an average speed of 20 kilometers per hour, ensuring effective monitoring of high-traffic zones while minimizing interference with regular vehicular flow.
“This marks a new era in traffic enforcement for Karachi,”
said a senior official from the Traffic Engineering Bureau.
“The goal is to enhance road discipline and reduce human dependency in traffic management.”
AI-Powered Traffic Enforcement
The robotic traffic officers will detect violations such as illegal parking, lane violations, one-way breaches, and signal jumping using embedded computer vision technology. Each detected infraction will automatically trigger an e-challan, which will be sent to the vehicle owner’s registered mobile number and address through NADRA’s integrated database.
This initiative follows the successful rollout of the E-Tracks system, under which nearly 50,000 motorists were fined within just two weeks of launch, underscoring the efficiency and automation potential of Karachi’s smart traffic monitoring network.
Officials confirmed that the robotic units are currently undergoing testing and calibration to ensure seamless connectivity with the Karachi Command and Control Centre, which oversees citywide traffic surveillance through AI-integrated cameras and data systems.
Towards a Smarter, Safer Karachi
Authorities say the introduction of autonomous robots is part of a broader Digital Pakistan roadmap, which aims to reduce manual intervention, curb corruption, and introduce transparency in traffic enforcement.
By combining automation with data analytics, the Karachi Traffic Police hopes to improve road safety, streamline fine collection, and analyze traffic flow patterns for future urban planning.
“The robots won’t just enforce rules — they will collect real-time data that helps redesign safer roads,”
said the project’s technical director.
Karachi’s Smart Traffic System will gradually expand to other districts, including Clifton, Gulshan, and Korangi, over the next phase, with additional features such as AI-driven signal synchronization and automatic accident detection alerts planned for later in 2025.
The development marks a significant technological leap for Pakistan’s largest city, reinforcing its position as a pioneer in AI-based urban mobility solutions across South Asia.
