New deadline set for switching to Ajrak design number plates in Sindh

KARACHI: The Sindh government has extended the deadline for switching to the new Ajrak design vehicle number plates till December 31, 2025, giving motorists another year to comply with the updated registration requirement.

The Excise and Taxation Department announced the extension through a notification, which revised the previous October 31 deadline. The department said the new plates carry advanced security features aimed at preventing counterfeiting and ensuring authenticity.

According to officials, the updated plates come with several inbuilt safeguards, including background threads, barcodes, and 3D holograms. The colourful Ajrak-inspired design also pays homage to Sindh’s cultural heritage.

Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla reiterated that the plates would only be issued through official Excise offices. He cautioned vehicle owners against obtaining them from unauthorised sellers, warning that plates issued by private agents or shops would be considered invalid.

The provincial government had earlier begun rolling out the new plates as part of a broader effort to digitise vehicle data and improve road monitoring. The extended deadline is expected to ease the burden on Excise offices, which have been dealing with long queues of applicants.

Punjab eyes new plates for big vehicles

Meanwhile, Punjab’s Excise and Taxation Department is working on a new number plate format for SUVs and other large vehicles. The proposed design, currently under review, aims to make registration plates more readable and compatible with surveillance systems used by law enforcement agencies.

Officials said that the standard number plates currently in use were primarily designed for smaller cars, often making them difficult to read on bigger vehicles. Safe City cameras and traffic enforcement systems have struggled to capture plate details due to visibility issues and placement differences.

To address this, the department is considering a new plate with a larger surface area, a distinct colour combination, and enhanced anti-tampering features. The change is intended to improve road safety and enforcement efficiency.

Although no launch date has been confirmed, the proposal is expected to move forward once the required approvals are secured. It is still unclear whether the new design will be mandatory for existing SUV owners or limited to future registrations.

Authorities have hinted that vehicle owners may need to cover the cost of the new plates and make adjustments to their vehicles if the new format requires different mounting brackets.