By The Sindh government has announced a two-month extension for replacing old vehicle registration plates with the new Ajrak-themed number plates, giving vehicle owners until December 31, 2025, to complete the process.
According to an official notification issued by the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department, the decision applies to all vehicle categories, including cars, motorcycles, commercial, and government vehicles.
Deadline Extended to Ease Public Concerns
The extension was granted to facilitate citizens who have faced delays in the issuance of new plates due to production and distribution challenges. Many vehicle owners had complained of long waiting periods and backlogs at excise offices.
Officials confirmed that the latest extension follows several previous ones, each designed to reduce public inconvenience while ensuring compliance with the province’s updated vehicle registration policy.
Ajrak-Themed Plates: A Blend of Culture and Security
The Ajrak-themed number plates are part of the Sindh Safe City initiative, aimed at modernizing vehicle identification and enhancing road safety.
The design features Sindh’s iconic Ajrak pattern, representing the province’s cultural heritage, while incorporating advanced security and digital tracking elements, including:
- Unique barcodes for verification and registration tracking
- 3D holograms to prevent duplication and counterfeiting
- Camera-readable backgrounds compatible with smart surveillance systems
These features allow traffic management and law enforcement agencies to digitally monitor vehicles, detect violations, and improve record accuracy.
Part of Sindh’s Smart Mobility Vision
Authorities have emphasized that the modernization of vehicle plates aligns with Sindh’s broader goal of integrating technology into traffic management and enhancing urban security under the Safe City framework.
A spokesperson for the Excise Department stated that the initiative would not only improve transparency and accountability in vehicle registration but also support automated e-challan systems across major cities, including Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to replace their old plates before the December 31 deadline to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with provincial laws.
