Sindh extends vehicle biometric verification deadline to August 14

The Sindh Excise and Taxation Department has announced a final extension for the biometric verification of vehicle registrations, setting August 14 as the new and last deadline for compliance.

Citizens across the province, including Karachi, are urged to complete the biometric registration process for their vehicles and motorcycles before the extended deadline.

According to Deputy Director Asif Ali Bhatti, no further extensions will be granted beyond this date.

He emphasized that if a vehicle is not registered in the owner's name, the transfer and biometric process must be completed without delay.

After August 14, both buyers and sellers will be required to undergo biometric verification for the transfer of any vehicle or motorcycle.

Bhatti also revealed alarming figures: over 5 million residents in Sindh have yet to obtain official number plates for their motorcycles.

While the province has 6.5 to 7 million registered motorcycles, only 1.6 million number plates have been distributed by the department. The standard fee for a number plate is Rs2,450.

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To facilitate the public, more than nine counters are currently operational in Karachi at locations including Civic Centre, Executive Office Clifton, and Awami Markaz.

The department has also introduced online application options for number plates. Due to increasing crowds, additional service counters are being added at the Civic Centre.

While Bhatti claims that number plates are generally issued within a week, many citizens report delays of over a month. He also acknowledged ongoing action against agent mafias, noting that although efforts are made to curb them, they frequently re-emerge.

The newly designed number plates come equipped with advanced security features, including camera visibility in low-light conditions, enhancing law enforcement and road safety.