Sindh Government Introduces Premium Number Plates for Vehicles

The Sindh government has recently approved the introduction of 'Premium Number Plates' for vehicles in a bid to enhance revenue generation. This decision was made during a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The meeting also saw the approval of various other significant decisions, including the allocation of funds for essential projects and the extension of Rangers deployment in Karachi division.

The Premium Number Plates initiative aims to offer unique features such as personalised property that can be inherited, transferable to another vehicle, and CNIC-based registration. These plates will be applicable to any private vehicle, reusable on any vehicle, and customizable in terms of color shades for platinum numbers. The proposal includes three categories of premium plates: Platinum, Gold, and Silver, with the option of auctioning choice-based number plates and bundle offers with discounts for families and companies.

The Excise and Taxation Department of Sindh estimates that if even 10% of vehicle owners opt for personalized choice numbers, the initiative could generate an annual revenue of Rs2 to Rs3 billion. In the fiscal year 2021-22, the department issued a total of 71,645 choice numbers, resulting in a revenue of Rs44 million from the choice number fee mechanism.

This move follows the previous introduction of CNIC-based vehicle registration and camera-readable number plates in Sindh. These initiatives aim to streamline vehicle registration processes and enhance security features. The Premium Number Plates scheme is expected to provide a significant boost to the provincial revenue while offering vehicle owners a unique and customizable option for their vehicles.