'Ajrak will remain on number plates': Sindh minister dismisses criticism

The Sindh government has extended the deadline for the replacement of the old number plates of vehicles with the Ajrak-themed number plates until August 14. During this period, traffic police have been directed not to issue challans for such plates.

Sindh Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, said this during a media briefing in Karachi on Monday.

“Ajrak is a symbol of Sindh’s cultural identity and it will feature on number plates,” Chawla cleared.

He dismissed criticism surrounding the design, saying, “Some people have developed an unfounded fear of Ajrak, but it is part of our heritage and also functions as a security feature in the new plates.”

While the exemption from penalties applies specifically to Ajrak-themed number plates until the extended deadline, the minister said that standard traffic regulations remain in force.

Offences such as riding without a helmet or lacking proper documentation will still be subject to enforcement.

Chawla also reiterated that the use of modern, digitally integrated number plates, part of the province's Safe City initiative, is mandatory for all vehicles.