The Sindh government has decided to end the 60-day limit for vehicle registration, making it mandatory for people to buy only registered automobiles.

“Now, anyone will be able to purchase a vehicle when it is registered. If anyone purchases an unregistered vehicle, they will have to get it registered first,” Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said at a press conference in Karachi on Sunday.

“Whether the vehicle lands at any port after being imported, even then it has to be registered there. If it is being brought to any other province, then it will be transported through a carrier. Unregistered vehicles will not travel on this province’s land.”

The government plans to ensure such plans through an amendment “to the MVO-1965 law.” In the past, people needed to register their vehicle within 60 days of buying.

According to Memon, the tweak would be presented in the next cabinet meeting and hopefully, it would be passed as principally everyone has agreed to it. The government would bring it through the assembly.

“Apart from this, locally manufactured vehicle of any brand will not be allowed to come out of the showroom until it is registered,” he said and added that the government was planning to impose an “Rs1 million penalty” for violators of the law.

Action against narcotics

Memon told reporters that the Sindh government has arrested 137 suspects over the last three months in 127 cases related to narcotics.

He claimed that marijuana, heroin, ice (crystal methamphetamine), hashish, crystal, and different types of contraband items were recovered from the suspects.

The minister said that the Excise Department has formed a Rapid Response Force to counter drugs trade and use.

“Whoever gives us information will be kept secret. For the first time, we have brought a Police Department office into the force to boost its capacity.

Drug test of students

He added that the government was bringing a new Act to conduct random drug tests of students under with the permission of their parents.

“If someone is tested positive, they will not be disclosed and their parents will only be informed. The student will be asked who their supplier was,” Memon said and added that a notification would soon be issued.

According to the minister, it was a collective job to end the drug addiction and its supply in society.

New routes of Peoples Bus Service

The Sindh government would soon start some new routes of the Peoples Bus service, under the mass transit facility.

A 21km route would start from Hawke’s Bay to Tower and another 36km route would start from Saadi Town to Tower. “It will cover big areas like Al Asif Square,” Memon said.

He added that the government has also started working on the missing connection between the Orange Line BRT and Green Line BRT.

According to Memon, the construction of the Yellow Line project has been started. As many as 18 women drivers have been trained.

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He lamented that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has so far not fulfilled his promise of providing 150 buses to the province. He urged him to fulfil that promise.

Action against drivers using fake government number plates

Memon shared that the government’s campaign against the use of fake government number plates was under way and first information reports were registered against suspects.

“Everyone living in Sindh should keep in mind that people who carry fake government number plates on their vehicle should be ready to go to jail. No one is above the law. We are also taking action against shops making such number plates,” the information minister said.