By Dr Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Taking notice of a report published in Daily The Business, Director General Excise and Taxation Punjab Umar Sher Chatha has issued a circular prohibiting officers and employees of the department from using government-style green and other unauthorised number plates on their private vehicles.

The circular clarifies that the use of green, unauthorised, non-official or improperly affixed number plates on private vehicles is prohibited. It also warns that departmental action may be taken against officers and employees who violate the applicable rules, regulations and policies.

According to details, an investigative survey report published by Daily The Business last week identified tampered, non-standard, allegedly unauthorised and government-style green number plates on some vehicles at the Excise Department’s Secretariat, headquarters, directorates and offices of Motor Registering Authorities.

The report raised questions about whether a department responsible for enforcing vehicle registration and number plate regulations against ordinary citizens would ensure that the same laws were followed by its own officers and employees.

Following the publication of the report, the issue drew the attention of the relevant authorities. Subsequently, the Director General Excise and Taxation Punjab sent a letter to directors across all regions of the province, directing them to ensure compliance with the instructions.

The report had emphasised that the Excise Department itself was responsible for enforcing motor vehicle laws and that its officers and employees must comply with the same regulations applicable to ordinary citizens.

The circular issued following the Daily The Business report marks an important development in addressing the issue. However, effective implementation of the directives, the removal of unauthorised number plates from private vehicles and impartial action against violators remain essential to ensuring compliance and accountability.