Traffic police continue crackdown on vehicles without proper number plates in Karachi

Karachi traffic police is continuing a crackdown on vehicles and bikes without proper number plates by setting up checkpoints at various locations in the city.

Talking to Dialogue Pakistan, a traffic police official said, motorcycles and cars without number plates, or those fitted with fake or decorative plates, are being stopped

The deadline of 31 March had been given for vehicles without number plates, fake plates, obstructed plates, and AFR compliance.

Following this, the police department and the government have continued this operation, particularly targeting those citizens who take the law into their own hands.

What people have been doing is altering the digits on their number plates, erasing them, tampering with them, or replacing them with incorrect numbers. Our aim is to ensure that vehicles display their official excise-issued number plates. Many individuals have installed bogus plates, and we are taking action against them.

One citizen stated that he purchased his motorcycle just yesterday, and it takes at least a month for the official number plate to be issued. He questioned how he is supposed to display a number plate in the meantime. 

He added that despite having an invoice dated the previous day, he was stopped and told that his bike might be taken to the police station, potentially leading to further legal complications.

He expressed frustration, claiming that the public is being unnecessarily harassed.

Another individual explained that he had applied for a number plate four times but had still not received one.

He argued that it is not his fault if the excise department has failed to issue the plate, and questioned how he could be penalised under such circumstances.

In response, officials clarified that vehicles must display number plates on both the front and back, whether it is a motorcycle or a car. If a vehicle has a rear plate but not a front one, a ticket is issued. If both plates are missing, the vehicle is handed over to the relevant police station for further legal action.

Officials also noted that compliance is increasing, as people begin installing number plates after being stopped once.

Police personnel, licensing staff, and other departments are present on-site to ensure transparency and prevent any unfair treatment.

If anyone experiences an issue or feels they have been treated unjustly, they can contact the department’s helpline or visit the relevant office to file a complaint.

Authorities emphasised that the e-challan system does not discriminate, whether someone is a minister, officer, or ordinary citizen, violations are recorded and penalties issued accordingly.

Traffic police and e-challans are meant to assist the public; citizens are simply required to display proper number plates.

If the official plate has not yet been issued, individuals are advised to install a temporary plate matching the official format. In addition, compliance with traffic rules, such as avoiding no-parking zones, not driving the wrong way, obeying signals, wearing helmets, and using seat belts, will help avoid fines.

Once again, officials reiterated that they have been urging citizens for the past 21 days to install their number plates and comply with regulations.