2nd Phase – Sindh to Launch Premium Number Plates

The Sindh government will begin the second phase of issuing premium number plates in Karachi on October 12th to support flood relief efforts. The first phase, held in July, raised Rs. 670 million, which is funding the world’s largest housing project for flood victims. Sharjeel Inam Memon, Senior Minister for Information, Transport, and Excise, announced this in a press conference.

A key new feature in this phase is the introduction of an online portal for purchasing premium number plates. This will allow people to buy their desired plates easily from home, a first for Pakistan.

First-Ever Premium Number Plate Auction

Previously in this June, Sindh government hosted its inaugural premium number plate auction at the pearl Continental Hotel in Karachi, allowing motorists to personalize their car with unique and prestigious plate.

The auction boasted three categories of plates, catering to different preferences and budgets. The top-tier platinum category allowed for coveted three-character plate, with bidding starting at a cool Rs. 2 million.

For those sought a slightly less exclusive option, the gold category offered plates with up to five characters, with a base price of Rs. 1 million. Meanwhile, the silver category was catering to budget-conscious buyers, featuring plates with up to seven characters and a starting price of Rs. 50,000.

Choice Number Plates Banned in Sindh

Later in July the provincial government decided to stop people from picking their own regular (choice number) car plate numbers. This meant vehicle owners can’t choose a specific number or letter combination anymore, whether it’s from the current series of plates or upcoming ones.

Instead, everyone to get a plate number based on when they apply. It’s like waiting in line – whoever applies first gets the next available number in the sequence. This applies to both private cars and government vehicles.

There’s one exception: premium plates. These are special plates with unique numbers or letters that people might be willing to pay more for. If you’re interested in a premium plate, you can’t just request it. You’ll need to wait for the government to announce a separate process for applying for these special plates.