Islamabad, Jan 23: The Government of Punjab has implemented significant updates to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance of 1965, specifically amending Section 24 to facilitate the vehicle registration process across the province. Under the new policy, vehicle owners in Punjab can now register their vehicles in any district, eliminating the previous mandate that required registration in the owner’s district of permanent residence.
This revision is part of a broader initiative to enhance mobility between districts and simplify the bureaucratic processes associated with vehicle registration.
Excise Director General Umar Sher Chattha stated that the reform aims to simplify the registration system. It includes online payments and electronic registration cards while preserving the current registration series and modernizing the system.
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The changes have already shown positive financial outcomes, as evidenced by the Excise Department’s report of a record revenue collection totaling Rs. 30.453 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2024-25. This represents a robust growth of 23% compared to the previous year, indicating effective policy implementation and improved compliance.
Furthermore, the provincial government has taken steps to address the issue of tax evasion by preventing Punjab residents from registering their vehicles in other provinces or Islamabad.
A new directive, approved by the Cabinet, prohibits such registrations to ensure that tax liabilities are met within Punjab, enhancing both security and tax collection efficiency.
This regulation is enforced through the use of NADRA district codes to track and control off-province registrations. Violators, identified during re-registration in Punjab, will now face stringent penalties.
This legislative move, backed by Cabinet approval, underscores the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and legal adherence, setting a precedent for other provinces to follow in streamlining vehicle registration processes and tackling tax evasion.
