LAHORE: The Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has launched a new system linking vehicle registration numbers directly to the owner’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).
Director General Excise M Umer Sher said that beginning September 1, 2025, every registration number will remain permanently tied to the first owner, while buyers of used vehicles will be issued fresh number plates.
He advised citizens driving vehicles on “open letters” or without proper ownership transfer to regularise documents and pay token tax to avoid complications.
The department has set August 31, 2025, as the deadline for token tax payments for fiscal year 2025–26. Those who pay by this date will receive a 10 per cent discount. Sher added that timely transfers and tax payments would support government reforms and demonstrate responsible citizenship.
The Excise Department further announced that if a sold vehicle remains untransferred in the buyer’s name, the original owner can call the Excise Helpline 1035 to have its registration suspended immediately.
