ISLAMABAD: As a large number of people do not bother to get their vehicles registered due to different reasons, the Excise and Taxation Office (ETO) has started a mobile registration, token collection and transfer service.

The service has been introduced to facilitate the residents of the capital. It will also play a vital role in increasing government revenue as a large number of people fail to pay their tax on time,” Chief Commissioner Islamabad Amer Ali Ahmed told Dawn.

He said it had been observed that people purchase a brand new car and then start waiting for months to register it in the next calendar year.

“On the other hand, a number of times such vehicles are impounded by police after which the owners suffer and have to contact the district administration for the release of their cars. Because of the new facility, rather than impounding such vehicles the owners will be told to pay the registration or token fee on the spot and take away the vehicle. We also have the option of transferring ownership of vehicles but we will prefer to do it at the ETO,” he said.

When asked how people will be able to pay the amount, Mr Ahmed said as an automated system had already been introduced the citizens could pay the amount through the banking app.

“It will not only make things convenient for the citizens but will also increase the revenue of ETO as we will be able to collect the pending token tax and other dues,” he said.

Asked about the number of mobile vehicles providing the service and where they will be parked, the chief commissioner said one vehicle had started working on Sunday and two others would be functional soon.

“They will be available at the entry points of the city and can be parked at any place to facilitate people of all areas,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2021