Vehicle dealers in Sindh are urging the government to delay the implementation of a new law that shortens the vehicle registration period from six months to just one month. They argue that this sudden change will negatively affect their business and have requested a three-month extension to adapt to the new rules.
Why Dealers Are Concerned
Under the amended Section 23 of The Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965, all vehicles—whether imported or locally manufactured—must now be registered within 30 days of purchase. For imported vehicles, registration must be done within a month of the Goods Declaration/Bill of Entry, while for locally manufactured vehicles, it must be completed within 30 days of the invoice date.
Failure to comply will lead to hefty fines:
- Motorbikes: Rs5,000
- Rickshaws: Rs10,000
- Cars: Up to Rs200,000, depending on the delay period (from 30 to 180 days)
Additionally, any unregistered vehicle being transported out of Sindh must be moved via a carrier and cannot be driven within the province.
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Dealers Demand a Three-Month Extension
Motor vehicle dealers, including members of the Karachi Motorcycle Dealers Association, strongly oppose this new rule. They claim that a one-month deadline is too short and will disrupt business operations. Many dealers were only recently informed about the law, leaving them with insufficient time to adjust their practices or sell off existing stock before the new rules take effect.
To minimize financial losses and ensure smoother implementation, they have requested the government to grant a three-month grace period before full enforcement.
Government Stands Firm
Despite the dealers’ concerns, the Sindh Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department has defended the amendment. Officials state that the Sindh Assembly passed this law to reduce the number of unregistered vehicles and curb vehicle theft. They argue that a faster registration process will improve road safety and make it easier for authorities to track vehicles in case of illegal activities.
What Happens Next?
The Sindh government has not yet announced any changes or extensions to the new registration deadline. However, with growing pressure from dealers and businesses, authorities may reconsider their stance. Until then, vehicle buyers and sellers in Sindh must prepare to comply with the new one-month registration rule or face strict penalties.
This new regulation marks a significant shift in vehicle registration policies, aiming to enhance law enforcement but also posing challenges for dealers and customers. Whether or not the government will grant the requested extension remains to be seen.
