Government Unveils Substantial Relief For Car Buyers

In response to longstanding complaints and operational difficulties, the Punjab Excise Department has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of its process for issuing computerized number plates for vehicles. Despite collecting fees from approximately three million vehicle owners in the province over the past three years, delays in issuing number plates have persisted.

Recognizing the need for reform, the provincial cabinet has approved the abolition of the government’s monopoly on number plate manufacturing. Instead, a new open licensing regime has been introduced, allowing multiple companies and institutions to participate in the production and distribution process.

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Under the revamped system, applicants will no longer be required to pay fees for new computerized number plates, aiming to streamline the registration process and ease financial burdens on vehicle owners. Excise Director General Faisal Fareed has overseen the implementation of this decision, directing the immediate cessation of fee collection for number plates with new or duplicate registration requests.

Transitioning to an open licensing regime is anticipated to foster healthy competition among private companies registered under the framework, potentially saving vehicle owners up to Rs500 on number plates compared to current government prices. However, addressing the backlog of pending number plates for millions of citizens remains a challenge, with past attempts to modernize the vehicle registration system encountering obstacles and disputes over fee structures.