Governor Tessori asks Sindh govt to provide Ajrak number plates free of cost

Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori on Wednesday urged the Sindh government to provide newly introduced Ajrak-themed number plates to citizens free of cost, calling them a gift symbolising the province’s cultural heritage.

Speaking to reporters in Karachi, Governor Tessori stated, “Ajrak is a symbol of civilisation, culture, and respect, and such things are meant to be presented as gifts.”

He also expressed concern over the high cost of the new number plates, urging the government to distribute them free of charge, at least for the first time.

A statement issued by the Governor House on Wednesday noted that many citizens are facing difficulties due to not having the new plates. It emphasised the need for their free provision to ease the transition.

Read: Sindh govt halts action on old vehicle number plates until August 14

The Sindh government has set a deadline of August 14 for the replacement of old vehicle number plates with the new Ajrak-themed design. Sindh’s Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, announced that no punitive action will be taken against vehicle owners using the old plates until the deadline.

However, despite the grace period, traffic police have reportedly been issuing heavy fines to vehicle owners, especially motorcyclists, which has sparked public outrage.

Several political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), have voiced their opposition to the enforcement.

Similarly, Jamaat-e-Islami recently organised a 'bike rally' to protest what it called the arbitrary enforcement of the policy. MQM-P also criticised the high cost and delays in the issuance of the new plates, calling for immediate reforms in the distribution process.