Business Desk 
Aug 25, 2025
In a major step towards curbing vehicle-related crimes, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved a new CNIC-based number plate policy.
Under this policy, motorcycles, cars, and all large vehicles will have number plates registered to an individual’s CNIC.
Notably, when a vehicle is sold, the original owner can remove the number plate, as it will remain their personal property.
The Sindh Excise Department noted that only the person whose CNIC is attached to a number plate will be recognised as its legal owner. Any new buyer must register the purchased vehicle online using their own number plate.
Meanwhile, if any owner wants to return a number plate to the government, they need to visit the excise office and officially cancel the registration.
According to the officials, this decision is aimed at curbing vehicle-related crimes, including theft and terrorism, by tightening registration and ownership tracking.
Additionally, the federal and all four provincial governments have now shared their registered vehicle databases to ensure centralised coordination and verification.
Previously, the chief minister directed the Excise & Taxation Department to develop the CNIC-based system and begin its testing, followed by amending the necessary law.
“The CNIC-based vehicle registration would not be implemented immediately, but he would hold follow-up meetings to oversee its implementation once it has been properly tested.”
With the CNIC-based number plate policy, Sindh is setting a precedent for other provinces in Pakistan to transform their vehicle registration systems, creating a more secure and reliable ownership structure nationwide.
