Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Syed Fakhr Jehan, has said that the newly introduced Personalized Registration Mark (PRM) system for vehicle registration marks is a major step towards enhancing transparency and ensuring greater ease for citizens.
He described the initiative as an important milestone in the provincial government’s reform agenda aimed at modernizing public services.
Under the new mechanism, a vehicle’s registration number will now be issued against the owner’s CNIC name, enabling them to retain the same number even after selling or replacing their vehicle.
The minister said that the PRM system will introduce a personal identity element to vehicle ownership, similar to a CNIC or SIM number, with no additional fee for retaining the number. Owners will also be able to keep their personal registration number for up to three years if they do not immediately purchase a new vehicle.
He added that we are also working towards launching universal number plates, which will allow citizens to register plates featuring specific identifiers such as names or trib titles.
These plates will be usable across Pakistan and fully integrated with a central software system ensuring data authenticity and traceability.
Discussing revenue performance, the minister said the Excise Department had exceeded its previous target of Rs. 4 billion by achieving Rs. 7 billion. He expressed confidence that the department’s future revenue collection would not fall below Rs. 10 billion.
Syed Fakhar Jehan expressed these views while delivering his welcome address at the inauguration ceremony of the PRM system on the other day.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi formally launched the new system. Secretary Excise and Taxation and Narcotics Control Khalid Ilyas, Secretary Science, Technology and IT Amjad Ali Khan, Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan and other officials and staff were also present.
The minister thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating the new system and said the PRM mechanism would help eliminate fake number plates while bringing greater transparency and modernisation to vehicle purchase and transfer procedures.
He added that the new system ensures a fast, transparent, and corruption-free registration process, with the number plate remaining with the owner unless voluntarily changed or surrendered.
On the government’s anti-narcotics efforts, the minister said that, following the directives of the Chief Minister, a strict zero-tolerance policy is being implemented across the province. He said detailed statistics of narcotics seizures made during the tenure would soon be shared with the public.
He further stated that the department is also taking steps to support the rehabilitation of drug-dependent individuals, enabling them to return as productive citizens.
He added that amendments to the anti-narcotics law are underway, proposing stricter penalties for possession of ice, cocaine, and heroin based on quantity.
The minister also requested approval of a Shaheed Package for the Excise force similar to that of the police, in recognition of their services and sacrifices.