Bike M-Tag policy draws public ire

Riders question timing, clarity and practical benefits of the policy

ISLAMABAD:

The federal capital's decision to make M-Tag registration mandatory for motorcycles has triggered mounting public frustration, with riders questioning both the timing and clarity of the policy as long queues form outside registration centres during Ramazan.

Authorities have set up 13 M-Tag registration points across Islamabad, requiring motorcyclists to obtain the electronic tag — previously used primarily for cars — as part of what officials describe as a broader drive to enhance security monitoring and streamline vehicle record management.

However, several citizens visiting the centres this week said the rollout has been marred by confusion, procedural difficulties and insufficient public communication.

Outside a number of facilities, riders reported extended waiting times while fasting, with some questioning why the initiative was not introduced in phases or deferred until after Ramazan.

"There is no clear information about what exactly the tag will do for motorcycles," said one commuter who had been waiting for more than an hour. "If this is a security measure, the authorities should explain how it will operate differently from existing checks."

Women riders and elderly applicants were also seen standing in the same queues, with no dedicated facilitation counters or appointment-based system in place.

Officials maintain that extending M-Tags to motorcycles is intended to strengthen vehicle traceability and support law enforcement agencies. Islamabad Police and entry-point security checks already involve verification of national identity cards, driving licences and vehicle documentation.

Several citizens questioned what additional benefit the new system would offer beyond these measures. "We already present our documents at checkpoints," said a rider in I-9. "How will this tag improve security in practical terms?"

While M-Tags are widely used for cars to facilitate toll payments and regulate motorway access, riders said authorities have yet to clarify whether toll charges would automatically apply to motorcycles or whether the tags are solely for tracking and documentation purposes.

A significant bottleneck appears to stem from documentation requirements. According to officials at registration centres, M-Tags are being issued only when the registered owner is physically present and the motorcycle carries its original number plate along with complete documentation.

Centre managers acknowledged that many motorcycles in the capital are registered in relatives' names or have not been formally transferred to current users. This has resulted in delays, with applicants being instructed to complete ownership transfers before obtaining the tag — a process some described as "time-consuming and costly".

"For families where the motorcycle is registered in a relative's name or owned by someone living abroad, the requirement creates unnecessary complications," said another rider.

Although the installation fee stands at Rs250, several motorcyclists argued that even minor physical modifications could affect resale value, particularly for higher-end bikes.

"Even small alterations can reduce the resale price," said a motorcycle owner at the Malpur registration centre. "If the policy is mandatory, such costs should have been incorporated into existing excise or registration charges."

Others expressed concern about the physical security of the tag itself, noting that motorcycles lack enclosed interiors where electronic devices can be securely installed.

Despite official assurances that the initiative is aimed at streamlining documentation and enhancing monitoring, public awareness appears limited. No detailed public guidelines have yet clarified operational aspects such as toll applicability, penalties for non-compliance, or data protection safeguards.