The Sindh government has once again extended the deadline for citizens to obtain the new, high-security vehicle number plates. The Excise and Taxation Department made this decision in response to widespread public difficulties and the overwhelming registration process.
The deadline for switching to the new “Ajrak” style plates was set to expire today, October 31. A new notification has now pushed this deadline back by two months, to December 31, 2025.
This is not the first such extension this year. Previous deadlines on April 3, May 15, June 30, August 14, and October 31 have all been missed, turning the process into a major struggle for citizens.
Long queues of frustrated residents have become a daily sight outside excise offices. The public has expressed serious concerns, particularly over the cost. The government is charging 1,850 rupees for the new plates, but citizens complain that similar quality plates are available in the open market for just 600 rupees.
People are demanding that the government create a “people-friendly” and practical policy and reduce the fees to provide relief to the common man.
The challenge is massive, as there are approximately 6.5 million registered motorcycles in Sindh, with 3.3 million in Karachi alone. The problem is complicated by the common practice of people using motorcycles on “open letters” without registering them in their own names, which is illegal.
