Social activist Faizan Hussain argues that Sindh government’s move to replace old number plates has placed an unnecessary financial burden on low-income citizens
KARACHI: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 11th, 2025) The Sindh High Court is set to hear a petition on July 14 challenging the provincial government’s decision to charge citizens for newly introduced Ajrak-themed vehicle number plates.
The petition, filed by social activist Faizan Hussain, argues that the Sindh government’s move to replace old number plates has placed an unnecessary financial burden on low-income citizens. The plea seeks a court order directing authorities to provide the new plates free of cost.
According to the petition, a government notification warns that vehicles without the new plates may be impounded. The petitioner contends that citizens had already paid for the current government-issued plates, and demanding payment for the new design is unjustified.
“There is no legal basis for imposing fines or seizing vehicles for not having the new plates,” the petition states, adding that the old number plates were also officially issued by the government.
The petition further alleges that the Motor Vehicle Registration Wing and traffic police have turned the plate replacement process into a commercial venture. “Citizens are being charged fees for the new plates, and the process is plagued with long delays. Traffic police are also harassing motorists unnecessarily,” the petition claims.
It calls for an immediate halt to fines and vehicle seizures, and requests that new Ajrak-style number plates be issued free of charge to all vehicle owners.
The Secretary of Excise and Taxation, the Motor Vehicle Registration Wing, and the DIG Traffic have been named as respondents in the case.
The court will take up the matter on July 14.
