KARACHI – In a move aimed at providing ease to vehicle owners, Sindh Minister for Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, has announced that the Motor Registration Wing at Karachi’s Civic Centre will now remain open on Saturdays and Sundays.
According to an official statement from the minister, the decision has been taken to facilitate the growing number of people visiting the registration office.
Director General Excise & Taxation Sindh, Iqbal Ahmed Laghari, has also issued a notification stating that the Civic Centre Motor Registration Wing will be operational from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekends.
The notification adds that services such as motorcycle ownership transfer, issuance of car and motorcycle number plates, fee receipts, and dues clearance will be available on these days.
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DG Excise explained that the step was taken due to the increasing public rush for number plates and to make the process easier for citizens.
Petition Filed Against Number Plate Policy in Sindh High Court
On the other hand, a social activist, Faizan Hussain, has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court against the recent policy of changing vehicle number plates.
The petition names the Secretary of Excise & Taxation, the Motor Vehicle Registration Wing, and the DIG Traffic as respondents.
It states that the Sindh government’s decision to change number plates is causing problems for the public. As per the official notification, vehicles without the new plates may be confiscated.
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The petitioner argues that citizens had already paid for their old number plates and now the government should provide the new design plates free of cost. He also said there is no justification for fines or vehicle seizures due to the non-availability of new plates.
The petition further claims that motor vehicle and traffic officials have turned this policy into a business, with traffic police allegedly harassing citizens unnecessarily.
Faizan Hussain added that while official number plates are being issued after long delays, roadside vendors continue to sell fake plates without restriction.
The petition requests the court to order the government to issue new number plates free of cost and stop imposing fines or seizing vehicles over the issue.
