The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the respondents and sought their response on petitions against three notifications regarding the procedure for vehicle registration, advance tax on imported vehicles and an increase in fees for special number plates.
The court also sought assistance from the Attorney General of Pakistan while seeking comments from the federation, Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, DG Excise and Taxation Department.
A bench of IHC comprising Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro and Justice Muhammad Asif issued a written order for hearing on the petitions of the All Pakistan Car Dealers and Importers Association.
The petitioner’s lawyer, Kashif Malik Advocate, presented the arguments. The court has said in the order that, according to the petitioner’s lawyer, amendments have been made to the West Pakistan Motor Vehicle Rules 1969 through the notification dated August 2, 2024, which includes a complete replacement of Rule 32 related to registration plates.
The order states that, according to the lawyer, the notification is a violation of the West Pakistan Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965. Only the provincial government has the authority to make rules under Section 43.
The court issued notices to the Federation, the Chief Commissioner, Islamabad, and the DG Excise and Taxation Department, seeking their response at the next hearing and adjourned the hearing.
The notification of August 2, 2024, of amendments to the West Pakistan Motor Vehicle Rules 1969 has been challenged.
The notification dated July 10, 2025, regarding the increase in the fee for special number plates has been challenged, while the petitioner has requested that the notification dated July 15, 2025, regarding the retention of number plates at the time of sale of the vehicle be declared null and void.