Illegal number plates

Letter February 01, 2015
A new car numbering scheme by Sindh Police enables same car to be used by a citizen, a criminal or a policeman.

KARACHI: Sindh can add one more feather to its unenviable inventory of achievements. The Sindh Police, based on the notion of “equal opportunity for all classes” have come out with a car numbering scheme that enables the same car to be used by a citizen, a criminal or a policeman. In simple words, the car is painted, numbered and suitably monogrammed in a manner that it meets all three requirements simultaneously. The manufacturing process of this unique product is as follows: 1) Beg, buy, borrow or steal a car; 2) Remove its number plates and put on new plates painted in red and blue colours of the Sindh Police. For better effect, also write ‘Sindh Police’ in bold letters; 3)Install a blue light on the car roof to further confirm its status as a police vehicle;  4) Place a large size Sindh Police monogram on the front windshield; 5) Write Mashallah in extra-large font to emphasise the Lord’s help in creating the product.

Scores of such cars were seen in action recently in various districts of Sindh. One car had family members on board who were seen enjoying doodh jalebi in Khairpur, another standing in the car park of Moenjo Daro and the third actually stopping vehicles in Sanghar. The beauty of this scheme is that in no case could one decipher if the cars were being used by a citizen, a criminal or a policeman. These brilliant inventions could meet the requirements of all three categories concurrently.

It must be mentioned that the patent of this three-in-one product has not yet been registered with the Excise and Taxation Department or any other department of the province. It is, therefore, impossible for anyone to say how many of these new multitasking vehicles exist in the country. Perhaps, the Sindh Police may wish to investigate and determine as to who is behind this latest version of criminality.

Naeem Sadiq

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd,  2015.

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