The federal capital’s decision to make M-Tag registration mandatory for motorcycles has sparked growing public frustration, with riders questioning both the timing and clarity of the policy as long queues form across registration centres during Ramazan.
With authorities establishing 13 M-Tag registration points across Islamabad, motorcyclists have been required to obtain the electronic tag – previously used primarily for cars – as part of what officials describe as a broader effort to improve security monitoring and vehicle record management.
However, several citizens visiting registration centres this week said the rollout has been marked by confusion, procedural hurdles and inadequate public communication.
Outside multiple centres, riders reported waiting for extended periods in fasting conditions, with some questioning why the initiative was not introduced in phases or delayed until after Ramazan.
“There is no clear information about what exactly the tag will do for motorcycles,” said one commuter who had been waiting for over an hour. “If this is a security measure, the authorities should explain how it will work differently from existing checks.”
Women riders and elderly applicants were also seen standing in the same queues, with no visible facilitation counters or appointment-based system in place.
Officials maintain that the extension of M-Tags to motorcycles is aimed at strengthening vehicle traceability and assisting law enforcement agencies. Islamabad police and entry-point security checks already involve verification of identity cards, driving licences and vehicle documentation.
Several citizens questioned what additional benefit the new system would provide beyond these measures. “We already show our documents at checkpoints,” said a rider in I-9. “How will this tag improve security in practical terms?”
While M-Tags are widely used for cars to facilitate toll payments and regulate motorway entry, riders said authorities have yet to clarify whether toll charges would automatically apply to motorcycles or whether the tags serve purely for tracking and documentation.
A significant bottleneck appears to stem from documentation requirements. According to officials at registration centres, M-Tags are being issued only when the registered owner is physically present and the motorcycle has an original number plate along with complete documentation.
Centre managers acknowledged that many motorcycles in the capital are either registered in relatives’ names or have not been formally transferred to current users. This has resulted in delays, with applicants being asked to complete ownership transfers before obtaining the tag – a process some described as “time-consuming and costly”. “For families where the motorcycle is registered in a relative’s name or owned by someone living abroad, the requirement creates unnecessary complications,” said another rider.
Though the installation fee stands at Rs 250, several motorcyclists argued that even minor physical modifications could affect resale value, particularly for higher-end bikes. “Even small changes can reduce the resale price,” said a motorcycle owner at the Malpur registration centre. “If the policy is mandatory, such costs should have been integrated into existing excise or registration charges.”
Others raised concerns about the physical security of the tag itself, noting that motorcycles lack enclosed interiors where electronic tags can be safely installed.
Despite official insistence that the initiative is intended to streamline documentation and enhance monitoring, public awareness appears limited.
No detailed public guidelines have yet clarified operational aspects such as toll applicability, enforcement penalties for non-compliance, or data protection safeguards. Observers say that while digitisation and improved record-keeping are legitimate policy goals, the effectiveness of such measures depends heavily on timing, transparency and public engagement.
“The issue is not reform,” said a senior administrative observer who requested anonymity. “It is about how reform is introduced. If people do not understand its purpose, resistance is inevitable.”
As the rollout continues, the administration faces the challenge of addressing public concerns while ensuring smoother implementation. With Islamabad home to tens of thousands of two-wheel commuters – many of them lower- and middle-income earners – the perception that the burden of compliance falls disproportionately on ordinary citizens could deepen scepticism.