Issuance of blue number plates resumes for semi-govt departments

LAHORE
Computerized number plates were introduced in Punjab in 2006. 9,00,000 blank number plates were purchased from a German company. The plate for four-wheeler costs Rs 500 and a two-wheeler’s, Rs 350. Each plate has a five-year warranty.”
“Forty five plates have been issued to NESPAK, 31 to WASA, 17 to SNGPL, 12 to PHA, 6 to UET, 48 to LESCO, 11 to WAPDA, 9 to National Bank, 6 to Irrigation Project Management Unit and 5 to PEPCO, Masood ul Haq, director Motor Registration Branch said.”
“The Lahore Development Authority, Traffic and Engineering and Planning Agency, Water and Sanitation Agency, Punjab Irrigation Development Authority, Pakistan Horticulture Authority, Pakistan Cricket Board, Pakistan Hockey Federation, Pakistan Football Federation, Pakistan Olympic Association, Punjab Olympic Association,
LESCO, PEMRA, Lahore Secondary Board, Election Commission of Pakistan, Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Services Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram, Lady Wallington Hospital, Mayo Hospital, Higher Education Commission, PIA, State Bank of Pakistan,, Punjab Health Foundation, Punjab Art Council, Lahore Art Council, Punjab Institute of Language Art and Culture, Lahore Museum and WAPDA are to be issued blue plates also.”
Issuance of blue ‘LEJ’ number plates to semi-government departments by the Excise and Taxation Department (ETD) Punjab was resumed after being stopped on September 10 because of technical faults, an ETD official told Pakistan Today. Semi-government departments do not come under the direct control of the Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD).
Departments under S&GAD are issued green ‘LEG’ plates under the amended Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965 and the relevant Motor Vehicles Rules 1969. “One hundred and ninety plates have been issued and 609 will be issued by the end of this year,” the official said. Background: The use of green number plates on government vehicles was banned on July 1, 2007 by the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the Punjab government was directed to issue number plates prescribed by the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965 and the relevant Motor Vehicles Rules 1969.
Punjab government launched an appeal against this judgment in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, pleading that it will not be possible to differentiate government vehicles from others. The applications of semi-government departments requesting the issuance of green number plates in 2009 was rejected by the Interior Ministry.
“These entities are autonomous bodies and have their own operations regarding finance and management. They cannot be given the same perks that are enjoyed by the government departments,” the letter issued to ETD stated. ETD then amended the rules and finalized the issuance of blue number plates to semi-government departments.