The Sindh Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal presented by the Excise Department to introduce a new vehicle registration system linked to the owner’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), which will also include Personalized Registration Marks (PRMs).
Under this new system, the number plate will be linked to the vehicle owner rather than the vehicle itself, allowing the owner to retain the plate even after selling the vehicle and reuse it on any new vehicle. According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s House, registration marks will now be associated directly with the owner’s CNIC instead of the chassis number.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) will still be based on the chassis number, serving as the vehicle’s permanent identity. Owners will have the option to retain, reuse, or voluntarily return their personalized registration marks. The system aims to enable quick identification and tracking of vehicles, ensure effective monitoring of taxpayers’ assets, and provide administrative efficiency in line with international standards.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has instructed the Excise and Taxation Department to begin preparations for the CNIC-based registration model, conduct a pilot test, and then introduce the necessary legislative amendments. The new system will not be implemented immediately; instead, it will be rolled out in phases after thorough evaluation, with the Chief Minister personally monitoring its progress.
This development comes as the Sindh government continues its campaign to introduce new Ajrak-design number plates, which are linked to the Safe City Project launched in 2018. These plates feature advanced security elements, including security threads, 3D holograms, and barcodes. Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla emphasized that the Safe City Project cannot be fully effective until these security-equipped plates are completely implemented.
The meeting also discussed new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for registering unregistered or seized customs vehicles, particularly those with altered or tampered chassis numbers. According to the proposed SOPs, such vehicles will only be registered under federal and provincial government departments with special non-transferable registration series. The registration fee will be based on the vehicle’s invoice value, and a thorough inspection will be mandatory before registration.
The cabinet has formed a committee headed by the Excise Minister to finalize recommendations and give legal shape to these proposals.
