KARACHI – The Sindh cabinet has approved a proposal to introduce a CNIC-based vehicle registration system, aiming to modernise and simplify vehicle ownership procedures in the province.
The decision came during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the CM House. The move will bring Sindh’s registration process in line with global practices and recent reforms adopted in Islamabad.
Under the new model, number plates will be linked to the owner’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) instead of the vehicle chassis. This shift will allow owners to retain, reuse, or surrender personalised registration marks (PRMs) even after selling their vehicles.
Officials said the permanent identifier of a vehicle will now be the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) associated with its chassis. The number plate, however, will remain connected to the individual owner.
The Excise and Taxation Department stated that the system will improve real-time traceability, enhance law enforcement, and make asset tracking easier for tax purposes. It will also integrate with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to ensure standardisation across provinces.
Explaining the process, officials confirmed that when a vehicle is sold, the plate will be removed from the chassis and may either be reassigned to the seller or surrendered for reissuance or auction.
The cabinet approved the plan in principle and agreed to the necessary legal changes. However, the Chief Minister stressed that the new system will not be launched immediately. Instead, the Excise Department will develop and test the framework before presenting a final draft law for implementation.
Experts and government officials have called the initiative a major step toward digitising vehicle registration and reducing fraud. By making registration owner-centric, the province hopes to streamline administrative procedures and provide more flexibility to vehicle owners.
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