A T-shirt featuring a black seatbelt print has gone viral across Pakistan following the introduction of the new e-challan system in major cities.
The shirt creates the optical illusion of wearing a seatbelt, and social media users on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) have widely shared photos and videos of themselves wearing it. Many are calling it a “clever way” to avoid traffic fines, sparking a trending discussion online.
The trend gained momentum shortly after traffic authorities began rolling out the e-challan system, which uses surveillance cameras to automatically detect violations in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Faisalabad.
The system identifies offenses including driving without a seatbelt, jumping traffic signals, and using mobile phones while driving. Fines are then issued electronically and sent directly to the registered address of the vehicle owner.
In Karachi, the newly implemented system has already issued dozens of e-challans, including to official vehicles, for non-compliance with traffic rules such as not wearing seatbelts. With hefty fines now enforced automatically, many residents are exploring creative ways, or “desi totkas,” to avoid penalties, with the seatbelt T-shirt emerging as a humorous yet practical solution.
The viral response reflects both public fascination and apprehension surrounding the e-challan system. While authorities emphasize road safety and compliance with traffic laws, the T-shirt trend highlights how citizens adapt to sudden regulatory changes in innovative ways.
Social media users have applauded the shirt for its design and practicality, noting that it serves as both a reminder to wear seatbelts and a lighthearted workaround in the early days of e-challan enforcement.
The seatbelt T-shirt has become a conversation starter about traffic safety in Pakistan, demonstrating the blend of humor, creativity, and social media influence as citizens respond to new policies. The ongoing popularity of the shirt also underscores the wider public awareness about the importance of following road safety measures, even as people find entertaining ways to engage with the law.
