High Court Announces Decision on Ajrak-Style Number Plate Policy. The Sindh High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the mandatory introduction of Ajrak-design vehicle number plates, ruling that the policy does not violate any law. The decision allows the Sindh government to continue implementing the new number plate system across the province.
Petition Challenged Replacement of Old Number Plates
The petition was filed by a citizen who objected to the Sindh government’s move to replace old vehicle number plates with the newly introduced Ajrak-design plates. The petitioner also challenged the fee structure, which ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 3,000, depending on the type of vehicle.
The petitioner argued that vehicle owners had already paid excise duties for their existing plates and that charging additional fees created an unnecessary financial burden.
Objection to Fines and Vehicle Seizure Warning
During the hearing, the petitioner raised concerns over government warnings that vehicles using old number plates could face fines or seizure. The petitioner’s counsel maintained that the government should issue the new Ajrak-design plates free of cost and requested the court to stop authorities from taking action against non-compliant vehicle owners.
Court Cites Security Features of New Plates
In its written order, the Sindh High Court noted that the petitioner’s primary objection focused on the prescribed fee, rather than the legality of the policy itself. The court referred to a public notice issued in December 2024, which explained that the Ajrak-design number plates include enhanced security features aimed at improving vehicle identification and law enforcement.
Petition Dismissed for Lack of Legal Grounds
After reviewing all arguments, the court concluded that the petitioner failed to identify any legal defect in the policy. As a result, the Sindh High Court dismissed the petition, effectively clearing the way for the continued implementation of Ajrak-design vehicle number plates throughout Sindh.
What This Means for Vehicle Owners
With the court’s ruling, vehicle owners in Sindh will be required to switch to the new Ajrak-design number plates and pay the prescribed fee. Authorities are now legally empowered to enforce compliance under the existing policy framework.
