Computerised number plates may take six months.

LAHORE -- Punjab Secretary for Excise and Taxation Wajihullah Kundi told the Lahore High Court on Friday that there was a backlog of 1.7 million computerised number plates and 530,000 smart cards.

Mr Kundi said the tender for manufacturing of new computerised licence plates was cancelled due to depreciation of rupee against dollar. Now a government-to-government project was in progress for the manufacture of plates with the assistance of Ministry of Defence Production, he added.

Responding to queries of Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh, the secretary said it could take six months to start production of the plates after an approval of the tender from the provincial cabinet.

He further said that traffic police had already been told not to fine commuters for unavailability of authorised...