ISLAMABAD: A number of offices and departments along with officials and legislators are involved in using improper number plates on their vehicles in violation of the law.

The offices and the departments included the Prime Minster House, National Assembly, Senate Secretariat, ministries of interior, foreign affairs and finance, the Cabinet Division, Election Commission of Pakistan and the CDA.

Besides, the central police office, the chief commissioner office, office of the SSP Diplomatic Enclave, the excise and taxation office (ETO), Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others are also using such number plates.

A letter issued from the office of the senior superintendent of the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) carrying the list of the offices stated: “On the directions of the federal minister for interior, the ITP is going to launch a campaign against those working in different organisations and driving their vehicles with improper or fancy number plates which is against the legal parameters.”

It added: “In this regard, the ITP intends your esteemed organisation to use proper number plates of vehicles only issued by the ETO.”

After April 15, legal action would be taken against all vehicles having improper number plates, it added.

A police officer told Dawn on the condition of anonymity that the letter was issued after Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed the police to take action against motorists using improper and fancy number plates.

A number of people, including legislators and bureaucrats, are among those using such number plates, he said.

The law applies equally on everyone, so action will be taken against all those found involved in using such registration plates. “It looks awkward to take action against only the ordinary citizens and spare VIPs and big shots.”

Earlier, the interior minister asked the ITP to launch a campaign to create awareness among motorists who were driving without proper registration plates.

The minister gave the ITP a fortnight to educate the motorists on the matter.

After the campaign, strict action would be taken against those involved in the practice, said the police official, adding the action could include a heavy fine and impounding of the vehicle.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2017