In a move to relieve mounting public frustration, the Sindh government has announced a revised deadline for the mandatory adoption of Ajrak-themed number plates—at least for motorbike owners. Originally set for August 14, 2025, the deadline has now been pushed to October 31, 2025, but the extension applies only to two-wheelers such as motorcycles and scooters.

The decision came within hours of Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla addressing the provincial assembly, where he acknowledged growing concerns about logistical bottlenecks and hinted at a possible deadline shift. His remarks were swiftly followed by an official notification confirming the extension.

Only Bikes Get a Breather—For Now

While the Ajrak number plate policy initially covered both cars and motorbikes, the revised implementation plan narrows the focus to two-wheelers. Car owners must still meet the original August deadline. Authorities say this split rollout will help ease congestion at excise offices and streamline the process for vehicle owners struggling with delays.

What Makes These Plates Special?

These aren’t just decorative plates with a cultural twist—the Ajrak design is part of the province’s broader Safe City Project. Unlike conventional number plates, the new versions come embedded with high-tech security features:

• 3D holograms and barcodes for authentication
• Camera-readable surfaces, even at night
• Security threads woven into the plate material

These enhancements make the plates compatible with surveillance systems and significantly reduce the risk of counterfeiting. The Excise Department has emphasized that only plates issued directly by their offices will be considered valid—those bought from unauthorized vendors will be rejected outright.

Why the Hold-Up? Blame the Bottlenecks

The deadline extension wasn’t a random act of leniency. Since the policy launched, excise offices—especially in high-density areas like Karachi—have been overwhelmed. Long queues, application backlogs, and repeated trips to government counters have frustrated thousands of vehicle owners.

The volume of applications has simply outpaced the department’s processing capacity, prompting authorities to adjust timelines for a more manageable rollout.

What to Expect Going Forward

While the updated deadline offers short-term relief to motorbike owners, the government has signaled that the Ajrak plates will eventually be compulsory for all vehicles. Authorities are now under pressure to expand processing capacity and perhaps consider a digital or appointment-based system to reduce in-person crowding.

For now, two-wheeler owners have a few more months to comply—but the message is clear: don’t wait until the last minute.