The Punjab government has recently imposed a tax on online payments for traffic challans in Lahore and other cities within the province.
Starting now, an additional Rs15 will be charged when paying traffic fines through online platforms, as reported by local news sources.
This new tax means that if a traffic fine is Rs500, the total amount payable online will now be Rs515. The move is aimed at making the payment process more efficient, although the traffic department has yet to make an official statement on the matter.
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Traffic police issue challans for a range of violations, including riding motorcycles without helmets, which carries a Rs2,000 fine, and driving on the wrong side of the road, also penalized with Rs2,000.
Typically, a ticket is issued at the time of the violation, specifying the offense and the fine. Prompt payment is encouraged to avoid the fine doubling due to delays.
While the new tax is part of the government’s initiative to encourage digital payments and improve compliance, it has led to public debate about the extra financial burden on citizens and traffic violators.
