The Excise and Taxation Department has decided to roll out cutting-edge technology to curb vehicle theft, fake number plates, and fraudulent transfers, in a major step toward making the federal capital a “digital city".

As part of this transformative initiative, Islamabad will become the first city in Pakistan to introduce RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags on vehicle windscreens, in addition to the traditional number plates. This will function as a “third number plate,” embedded with unique data linked to the vehicle, allowing real-time tracking and verification.

‘Third number plate’ technology to curb vehicle theft

According to Bilal Azam, the excise director, the RFID-enabled system will be directly integrated with the Safe City Project’s surveillance cameras, allowing authorities to detect and trace stolen vehicles quickly and efficiently.

“Right now, we install two number plates, front and rear. We are going to introduce the concept of a third number plate with an RFID tag on the windscreen. This tag will link vehicle data with Safe City cameras, making tracking and monitoring possible in real time,” said Bilal Azam.

The RFID technology is already used in several developed countries to improve traffic enforcement, enhance public safety, and ensure transparency in vehicle registration and transfers.

Digital vehicle cards to replace documents

Another key feature of the digitalization plan includes the replacement of traditional vehicle registration documents with digital vehicle cards in Islamabad. These cards will store all essential vehicle information and will be downloadable via Pak-ID or added to mobile wallets, eliminating the need to carry physical documents.

“Your card will be downloaded on your Pak ID. You can also add it to your mobile wallet. If you sell the vehicle, the biometric verification and electronic consent process will make transfers safer and faster,” explained Director Azam.

The Excise Department aims to streamline vehicle transfers and end the widespread practice of fake transfers and forged documents by implementing an electronic consent and biometric verification system.

Integration with digital parking, tax monitoring

The new system will also be linked with Islamabad’s digital parking plazas, allowing vehicle owners to pay parking fees directly through their digital cards. It will also help monitor token taxes and improve overall traffic law enforcement through automated systems.