Sindh excise faces Hurdles over Ajrak-themed number plates
The Sindh Excise and Taxation Department is experiencing an overwhelming surge in demand for its newly designed Ajrak-themed motorcycle number plates. In just the first three weeks of July, the department received over 60,000 registration applications, and officials expect that number to exceed 100,000 by the end of the month.
This sudden interest is largely driven by a strict crackdown on unregistered motorcycles launched by the Sindh Traffic Police, as part of a broader effort to enforce traffic laws across the province.
Unclaimed Plates & Rising Pressure:
While the Ajrak plates are in high demand, around 90,000 four-wheeler number plates printed since 2022 remain uncollected, with vehicle owners unwilling to pick them up for unclear reasons.
This has added to the pressure on the Excise Department, which is now struggling to keep up with both backlogged and new applications. “How is it possible to fulfill all these orders at once?” one official asked, adding that they currently produce 2,500 to 5,000 plates per day for both motorcycles and cars. To meet the growing demand, plates are being printed not only in Karachi, but also in Lahore and Haripur.
Cost and Registration Requirements:
To obtain a legal number plate, vehicle owners must purchase:
An original, security-featured number plate
Rs 1,850 for motorcycles
Rs 2,450 for cars
A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) smart card, priced at Rs 1,600
Since April 2022, the Excise Department has issued over 2 million of these security plates, including many with the new Ajrak design. In total, the department has registered around 9 million vehicles since the 1970s.
Deadline Extended:
To accommodate the rush, the department has extended the deadline for obtaining number plates to August 14, with the possibility of a further extension.
Meanwhile, the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC)—which also manages the Karachi Safe City project—has equipped new number plates with special security features readable by high-resolution cameras, helping improve vehicle identification and public safety.
Round-the-Clock Service Centers:
To handle the surge in applications, the Excise Department has opened a 24/7 centre at Boat Basin and operates two additional centres at Awami Markaz (Shahrah-e-Faisal) and Civic Centre, which run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A new help desk has also been set up at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) to provide easier access for journalists. Services include paying annual car tax and applying for car and motorcycle number plates.
Staff Reinforcements and Future Plans:
To deal with the shortage of personnel, around 200 employees from other departments—including the now-defunct property tax and entertainment duty wings—have been reassigned to support the Motor Registration unit. The government has also suspended professional tax and entertainment duty for a year to provide relief to citizens.
Excise officials say the entire system will become fully streamlined within the next year or two, eventually eliminating the need for more centres in Karachi. Meanwhile, online services for registration and tax payment continue to be expanded for public convenience.
