KARACHI: The Sindh government has approved a new CNIC-based number plate system, under which number plates will remain linked to the original owner even after a vehicle is sold.
According to the plan, motorcycles, cars, and heavy vehicles will be registered against the owner’s CNIC. At the time of sale, the seller will remove the number plate, which will stay as their personal property.
The Excise Department explained that only the CNIC holder tied to a plate will be considered its rightful owner, while buyers of used vehicles must register them online with their own CNIC-linked plate. If someone wants to return a plate, they must officially cancel it at the excise office.
Officials say the move is meant to help curb crimes such as theft and terrorism by tightening registration and ownership tracking.
In addition, databases of registered vehicles have now been shared between the federal and provincial governments to enable centralized verification.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had instructed the Excise & Taxation Department to develop this system and test it before introducing legal amendments.
“The CNIC-based vehicle registration would not be implemented immediately, but the CM Sindh would hold follow-up meetings to oversee its implementation once it has been properly tested.