Sindh Approves CNIC-Based Vehicle Registration System to Modernize Ownership Process
KARACHI – August 7, 2025:
In a major step toward modernizing the vehicle registration process, the Sindh Cabinet has approved the launch of a CNIC-based vehicle registration system, aligning the province with recent reforms implemented in the Islamabad Capital Territory.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and attended by provincial ministers, advisors, and key officials including the chief secretary and relevant department heads.
The newly approved registration model will link vehicle ownership directly to the owner’s CNIC, rather than being tied to the vehicle’s chassis number. This shift aims to simplify the registration and resale process, allowing individuals to retain their number plates when selling a vehicle. Personalized Registration Marks (PRMs) will also be supported under the new system, giving owners the option to keep and reuse custom plates across multiple vehicles.
According to the proposal presented by the Excise Department, the system will maintain the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as the primary and permanent identifier of a vehicle, based on its chassis. However, number plates will become user-centric—allowing for easy transfer, reassignment, or surrender in case the plate is not retained by the owner. If an owner chooses not to reuse their plate, it will be surrendered and made available for auction or reissuance.
Officials say the shift will bring Sindh’s vehicle registration system in line with global best practices, and is designed to increase transparency, improve ownership tracking, and eliminate various forms of misuse associated with chassis-based systems.
In addition to the CNIC-linked registration framework, the cabinet also gave approval for the registration of confiscated government vehicles that have had their chassis numbers altered or tampered with. To address this, the government will introduce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for registering such vehicles, including those that have undergone cut-and-weld alterations.
Furthermore, the Sindh government approved the establishment of Vehicle Fitness Inspection Centers across the province. These centers will be tasked with evaluating roadworthiness and ensuring that all vehicles on the road meet safety and environmental standards.
With the in-principle approval of these reforms, the Sindh government is now expected to initiate legal amendmentsnecessary to operationalize the CNIC-based registration system. The new model is expected to enhance regulatory efficiency, provide better tracking of ownership, and support a more transparent and user-friendly registration process.
