The Excise and Taxation Department of Sindh has extended the deadline for biometric verification of vehicle registrations until August 14. According to the report, citizens have been urged to complete biometric registration of their vehicles and motorcycles before the new cutoff.According to Excise and Taxation Sindh Deputy Director Asif Ali Bhatti, this is the final extension, and no further extension will be granted after August 14. 

He warned that if a vehicle is not registered under the owner's name, the transfer and biometric process must be completed immediately. After the deadline, both the buyer and seller will be required to undergo biometric verification for the transfer of any vehicle or motorcycle. Asif Ali Bhatti revealed that over 5 million citizens across Sindh, including Karachi, have yet to obtain new number plates for their motorcycles.

He shared that between 6.5 and 7 million motorcycles are registered in the province, but only 1.6 million number plates have been issued by the Excise Department. The fee for a vehicle’s number plate is Rs2,450. In Karachi, more than nine counters are operational at Civic Centre, Executive Office Clifton, and Awami Markaz to facilitate motorcycle number plate distribution. The normal fee is also being charged at the Executive Centre.

Citizens can also apply online for motorcycle number plates. Due to rising crowds, the Civic Centre is increasing the number of service counters to manage the rush. Bhatti said action is taken against the agent mafias, but they often return. The new number plates come with enhanced security features and are detectable by cameras even in the dark. He claimed that number plates are issued within a week, although citizens report that it often takes more than a month to receive them. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)