SHC orders lawyers, staff to remove unauthorised plates, official insignia from vehicles

KARACHI:  The Sindh High Court has directed lawyers, judicial officers and court staff to remove unauthorised registration plates, official emblems, blue lights and other devices from their private vehicles within seven days, warning that non-compliance could result in denial of entry to court premises across the province and legal action by police.

The directive, issued through a circular dated October 27 on the orders of the chief justice, applies to all court staff, judicial officers and advocates and covers green registration plates, monograms, official emblems of the Sindh High Court, logos, seals, stickers, badges, flags and inscriptions displayed on private vehicles.

The circular also ordered the removal of blue lights, beacons, revolving lights, flashers, designation signs, counterfeit government or AFR plates, concealed number plates and any other unauthorised devices, symbols or accessories.

The instructions are aimed at preventing practices that, according to the circular, pose a serious security risk and create a false impression of official privilege.

“In continuation of earlier circulars dated 22.06.2018, 02.02.2021, and 17.09.2021, and pursuant to the orders of the Hon’ble Chief Justice, all concerned have been directed to remove the unauthorised items within seven days, the circular stated.

However, vehicles falling within the ambit of Rule 76(f) of the Sindh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Rules, 2017, have been exempted from the directive.

The circular warned that vehicles whose owners fail to comply with the instructions will be denied entry to the premises of the Sindh High Court, City Courts and District and Sessions Courts across the province.

It further stated that police authorities will take legal action against the owners of such vehicles in accordance with the law.

The directive, on behalf of the registrar, also instructed all security staff and watchmen to ensure strict compliance.

It warned that disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against security personnel found failing to enforce the directions.