KARACHI: Sindh Ombud­sman Ajaz Ali Khan on Tuesday directed the excise and taxation department to clear the backlog and issue num­ber plates to 300,000 registered vehicles as the requests for the crucial facility by vehicle owners have been piling up for past many months.

Hearing a suo motu matter regarding non-issuance of number plates to 300,000 vehicles in Sindh, the ombudsman directed the excise and taxation secretary to streamline the process to facilitate the general public.

A statement issued by the Ombudsman’s office said that Excise Secretary Atif-ur-Rehman briefed the ombudsman, highlighting the reasons for the backlog and steps taken to improve the situation.

The founding chief of the Citizen-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), Nazim F. Haji, who joined the meeting through a video link, also shared his suggestions for making the situation better.

Asks excise dept to explore delivery of number plates via courier firms

“After detailed discussions and considering the suggestions made by the participants, the ombudsman directed the excise and taxation secretary to examine the feasibility of delivery of number plates to the vehicle owners through courier,” said the statement.

“The ombudsman also asked the Sindh excise and taxation department to extend and improve the service delivery and also suggested it to integrate the system with the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) for biometric and related facilities in the public interest,” it said.

In March, the Sindh government had stopped issuing yellow number plates for vehicles’ registration after the new number plates with the security feature were introduced for the vehicle owners. The new registration plates are retro-reflective, which glow at the night and bear the ajrak design a, the traditional shawl of Sindh that represents its culture. The National Radio and Telecommunications Corporation helped the Sindh government in launching the new plates.

Over growing complaints of non-issuance of the new number plates, the Sindh ombudsman also asked for immediate measures to address the grievances of vehicle owners and curb the corrupt practices.

“The ombudsman also directed the Sindh excise department to prepare a feasibility regarding setting up of desks and one-window offices at different places to facilitate the people,” said the statement.

“He also suggested bringing the registered motor dealers into the system to curb the corrupt practices. The excise department has also been directed to submit the report about the progress within one month,” it added.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2023