Sindh Extends Ajrak Number Plate Deadline to August 14

The Sindh government has extended the deadline for vehicle owners to adopt Ajrak-themed number plates to August 14, 2025, offering relief from fines as it pushes a controversial modernization drive. This article explores the policy’s intent, public backlash, and the challenges of balancing cultural pride with practical governance.

On July 14, 2025, Sindh’s Minister for Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, announced the extension, stating, “No challans will be issued for vehicles without new plates until August 14”. The Ajrak-themed plates, featuring Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips and barcodes, aim to enhance vehicle tracking under the Safe City Project. With over 8.6 million registered vehicles in Sindh, including 4.5 million motorcycles, the Excise and Taxation Department has issued 2 million plates since 2022, but delays persist. Chawla emphasized the plates’ cultural significance, saying, “Ajrak is the pride of Sindh, and it will remain on our plates”. Owners can apply online at excise.gos.pk for Rs1,850 (motorcycles) or Rs2,450 (cars).

Public response has been mixed, with many frustrated by logistical hurdles. Social activist Faizan Hussain’s petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) argues the policy imposes undue financial strain and cites delays at distribution centers like Karachi’s Civic Centre, where only 80,000 plates are ready. “It’s chaos, with people paying but not receiving plates,” Hussain told Express News. Opposition parties, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), criticize the government for poor implementation, noting that 3.3 million motorcycles in Karachi alone await plates. Conservatives question the policy’s cost, with @AdeelAfzal06 on X calling it a “tax on culture” that burdens citizens amid inflation.

The extension reflects an attempt to ease tensions, but conservatives argue it highlights bureaucratic inefficiencies. With only weeks left, the government must streamline distribution to avoid penalizing compliant citizens. The Ajrak plates symbolize Sindh’s heritage, but their success depends on practical execution to ensure public trust and road safety.