KARACHI: Motorcyclists across Sindh are now facing steep fines for not using the newly issued number plates featuring an official monogram, prompting widespread public frustration.
In Karachi, the traffic police have come under fire, with critics accusing the department of acting more like a revenue collection agency than a traffic enforcement body.
Riders have reported being fined for a variety of reasons, including using older number plates, personalized designs like those featuring ajrak patterns, or plates with oversized fonts.
Authorities have launched a renewed campaign to enforce the use of standardized plates bearing the official monogram. Motorcyclists have been instructed to replace any outdated or non-standard plates immediately.
But many citizens are unhappy with how this is being handled. A key concern is the cost, while the Excise Department charges Rs1,850 for an official plate, nearly identical versions can be found in local markets for around Rs600.
This price gap has left many questioning the fairness of the enforcement drive and whether enough effort has been made to make the plates affordable and accessible.