RAWALPINDI: Punjab traffic police chief has expressed concern over increasing number of unauthorised and fancy number plates on motorcycles, cars and other vehicles which makes it harder for the police to identify the vehicles involved in crimes and traffic accidents.

In a directive to all Chief Traffic Officer, including CTO Rawalpindi and District Traffic Officers across the province, the Additional Inspector General of Police Punjab Mirza Faran Baig said the illegal and fancy number plates made it difficult for the police to identify the vehicles engaged in crimes and traffic accidents and also presents a security risk enabling offenders to escape justice.

Syed Ghazanfar Ali Shah (SSP HQ) on behalf of the AIG traffic directed the CTOs and District Traffic Officers to coordinate with Excise and Taxation Department at district level to launch a joint campaign against illegal and unauthorised number plates and unregistered vehicles.

He said, in his directive, that some vehicles are seen using ‘Applied For/APL’ number plates whereas few vehicles have partially or fully hidden number plates.

This, he said, was not only a traffic in itself but also hampered the enforcement of various traffic laws.

Wrong, incomplete, or unreadable alphabets or digits on number plates create difficulties in identifying the vehicle that is involved in any incident, road accident or crime.

Similarly, smart enforcement through the e-challenging system by Punjab Safe Cities Authority is also undermined because of use of such unauthorised registration plates. He further said that this illegal practice poses serious security risks, enabling violators to escape justice and endanger public safety.

The AIG directed the CTOs and district traffic officers to take all effective measures to curb this malpractice forthwith.

Apart from strict legal action against delinquent drivers, the manufacturers of unauthorised and fancy number plates may also be proceeded against.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2024