KARACHI, Dec 23: The new system of road-user charges, which was to come into effect on Jan 1, 2003, has been deferred till July, subject to clearance by the federal government, it was officially announced here on Monday.

All motor vehicle owners have been asked to pay their motor vehicle taxes for the period — Jan 1, 2003, to June 30, 2003 — at the motor registration office, Civic Centre, or at the following National Bank branches: Site area, MA Jinnah Road, Awami Markaz, Kehkashan, Defence, Nazimabad and PIDC.

The Director Excise and Taxation, Raisuddin Paracha, said that the department would soon launch a road-checking drive to apprehend the defaulters of motor vehicle tax and to recover the arrears on the spot.

Clarifying the misconception regarding conversion of MV tax into road- users charge, an official said that implementation of the decision was under consideration at the federal government level and the proposed scheme was likely to be effective from the next financial year.—APP