THIS is with reference to the report ‘Over 3m Sindh vehicle owners told to replace number plates by April 3, 2025’ (Dec 19). It is strange that the relevant department is yet to issue number plates of cars bought and registered in 2022 for which all taxes and relevant fee have been paid.

First, the Sindh government must ensure immediate issuance of all the number plates that are still outstanding without the collection of fresh fee. Second, it may give a thought to the level of commotion and inconvenience, apart from additional expense and loss of valuable work hours, the whole process would entail.

There is one central office at the Civic Centre in Karachi, which, as everyone knows, is already overburdened, especially since the closure of designated bank branches for the purpose of motor vehicle tax collection.

Now imagine the huge number of people owning all sorts of vehicles who would transcend on this office to acquire new number plates and registration books. Agent mafia and perceived corruption will surely extend the whole exercise to multiple visits.

While it may be a wise step in the long run to have standardised number plates and security features, I wonder if the department concerned handling this huge task will make it possible to get the new number plates/registration books issued through the existing online system.

Additionally, the registration books and number plates already in the poss-ession of vehicle owners must be replaced, if it is really necessary, free of charge or at a nominal fee.

As the April 3 deadline is fast appro-aching, the Sindh Excise and Taxation Department should find a proper service- oriented and convenient way for people to willingly make the change without feeling harassed or inconvenienced.

Rashid S. Farookee
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2025