Ajrak number plate policy challenged in Sindh High Court

KARACHI: The Sindh government’s move towards Ajrak number plate enforcement has been challenged in the Sindh High Court (SHC). The price of the new Sindh number plates, Rs1,850 for motorbikes and Rs2,450 for vehicles, has also come under criticism.

According to details, social activist Faizan Hussain has challenged the decision of alterations in motorcycle and vehicle number plates in the SHC.

The petition alleges the Secretary of Excise and Taxation, Motor Vehicle Registration Wing, and DIG Traffic as respondents.

Faizan, in his plea, contends that the decision to swap existing number plates with Ajrak number plates has resulted in considerable inconvenience to the public.

As per the petition, a recent government announcement declares that cars without the Ajrak number plates will be seized. But citizens had also procured the old number plates after making proper payments.

The petitioner argues that the government must give the newly designed number plates to people without any cost and that there is no legal rationale behind penalizing or seizing cars for a lack of new plates.

The petition also accuses traffic police and motor vehicle officials of using the plate change as a business opportunity, causing unwarranted harassment to the public.

It also claims that government departments are taking months to deliver the new plates, while roadside vendors are making counterfeits.

The petitioner has asked the court to direct the government to provide the new Ajrak number plates at no cost and order a stop to fines and car impoundments from that moment on.