Punjab earns Rs3.25 billion from computerized number plates

LAHORE: The Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has generated Rs3.2576 billion in revenue through the issuance of computerized number plates across the province while computerized number plates have been issued to 2.1 million vehicle owners.

Details regarding the revenue generated from number plates and the new policy have emerged in a written response submitted by the Excise Department to the Punjab Assembly, a copy of which was obtained by Minute Mirror.

Non-standard number plates declared illegal

According to the Excise Department, installing non-standard or self-made number plates on vehicles will be illegal and vehicle owners may face heavy fines. The department has also discontinued the previous practice of collecting the number plate fee at the time of vehicle registration.

Private number plates allowed

Under the new policy, vehicle owners have been allowed to privately prepare and install number plates. However, they must strictly follow the design approved by the Excise Department and meet the prescribed standards. The department said that number plates made contrary to the approved design will not be accepted.

Delays in issuance of number plates

According to sources, citizens have faced difficulties due to prolonged delays in the issuance of official computerized number plates with backlogs in some districts continuing for several years.

Officials said the purpose of allowing private number plates is to reduce delays and facilitate the timely provision of number plates to citizens while maintaining the required design and security standards.

Action against illegal number plates

According to sources, traffic police and Excise officials have also been directed to take action against non-standard and fancy number plates. Vehicle number plates will also be checked against the central database.

The Excise Department said legal action would be taken against number plates that do not meet the approved standards. Officials said work is also underway on an online portal to facilitate citizens in obtaining number plates according to the approved design through licensed vendors.

The new number plate policy is being viewed as part of the Punjab government’s broader digitalization and revenue-generation initiatives.