The Sindh High Court has ordered its staff, judicial officers and lawyers to remove unauthorised green number plates and other official-looking markings from their private vehicles within seven days.
The circular was issued on the instructions of Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput. It tells those linked to the court to take off green registration plates, monograms, official SHC emblems, logos, seals, stickers, badges, flags, inscriptions, blue lights, beacons, revolving lights, flashers and designation signs.
What the circular covers
The order also targets counterfeit government or AFR (armed forces-style) number plates, concealed registration numbers, and any other unauthorised devices or accessories that create a false impression of official privilege. The court warned that such displays pose a serious security risk and mislead people about official authority.
Vehicles that fall under Rule 76(1) of the Sindh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Rules, 2017, are exempted from the directive. The circular does not spell out that rule in detail beyond naming the exemption.
Penalty for non-compliance
Anyone who fails to comply within seven days will see their vehicle barred from the Sindh High Court, City Courts, and District and Sessions Courts across the province. Police authorities would also start legal action against owners whose vehicles break the relevant laws.
Why the issue came up
Social media activists had earlier drawn the chief justice’s attention to what they called widespread vehicular lawlessness and weak policing, arguing that violations were continuing even on high court premises. They pointed to vehicles allegedly impersonating High Court or police cars, often with fake government or AFR plates, and to owners hiding registration numbers behind large plaques such as “Advocate, Sindh High Court”.
The activists said the unauthorised use of official-looking plates and insignia undermined the rule of law and raised security concerns. The court’s circular now sets a clear deadline for removal and ties access to court compounds to compliance.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Sindh High Court ne staff, officers aur lawyers ko kaha hai ke private gaariyon se green number plates aur official jaisi cheezein saat din mein hata dein. Warna ye gaariyan province ke courts mein andar nahi ja saken gi. Police bhi qanooni karwai kar sakti hai. Is se ye message clear hai ke fake official look ab court ke darwaze par nahi chalega.
