Before they started issuing the metal plates in 77-78 in Karachi every one had to get their own plates made. We are talking 1965 here and the best way was to go to a Painter and have him paint the car reg. number. I think the stealing part started inthe 80's when the heroin addicts started stealing anything metal..from manhole covers to lic. plates.
On a side note, when romano bought his bug and we started cleaning it up, we were quite surprised to find its previous number, painted under the present JM number, in Bengali....
