Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to auction special and fancy vehicle number plates bearing the names of prominent political leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, along with other key national and political personalities.
The decision was announced by Provincial Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Fakhar Jahan, during a conversation with Geo News. According to him, the auction of fancy and unique choice number plates will be held on January 27 at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar.
The provincial minister said the initiative is part of the KP government’s broader strategy to generate additional revenue for the provincial exchequer by capitalizing on the growing public interest in customized and unique vehicle registration numbers. He added that the auction is expected to attract significant participation from vehicle owners across the province.
Fakhar Jahan revealed that the bidding for fancy number plates will start from Rs1 million, and the highest bidder will be entitled to receive a number plate bearing the name of their preferred political or national personality. He said the inclusion of well-known leaders such as Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, and Imran Khan is likely to increase competition among bidders, as these names carry strong political and symbolic appeal.
“The response from the public has been very encouraging so far,” the minister said. “Vehicle owners are showing keen interest in acquiring unique and fancy number plates, and we are confident that this initiative will bring substantial financial benefits to the provincial treasury.”
He further stated that the auction will not be limited to a few political figures. In the next phases, number plates named after other national leaders, renowned personalities, regions, tribes, and communities will also be included. This phased approach, he said, would help maintain sustained public interest and maximize revenue generation over time.
According to Fakhar Jahan, the Excise and Taxation Department has already issued a formal advertisement detailing the auction process, eligibility criteria, and participation requirements. He emphasized that transparency and fairness will be ensured throughout the auction, with clear rules governing bidding and allocation.
The provincial minister also highlighted the use of digital platforms to facilitate public participation. He said citizens interested in participating in the auction can submit their applications through the “Dastak” mobile application, which has been introduced to simplify government services and reduce the need for physical visits to offices.
“Applications are already being received through the Dastak app,” Fakhar Jahan said. “This digital process ensures convenience for applicants and allows us to manage the auction in a more efficient and transparent manner.”
According to the Excise and Taxation Department KP, the deadline for submitting applications is January 26, 2026, one day before the scheduled auction. Only those applicants who complete the registration process within the stipulated time will be eligible to participate in the bidding.
Officials from the department said that the auction will be conducted in an open and competitive manner, with bids announced publicly to ensure transparency. The successful bidders will be required to complete the necessary formalities and payments within the specified timeframe to secure their chosen number plates.
The move has sparked discussion among the public and on social media, with many seeing it as a creative and innovative way to boost provincial revenue without imposing additional taxes. Supporters argue that fancy number plates are a luxury item, and those willing to pay premium prices for personalization should contribute more to public finances.
However, some critics have raised questions about the symbolism of auctioning number plates bearing the names of political leaders, suggesting that it could politicize a government revenue initiative. In response, officials clarified that the auction is purely a commercial and administrative activity and does not reflect political favoritism or endorsement.
Experts note that similar auctions of fancy number plates have been successfully conducted in other provinces, generating millions of rupees for government coffers. They believe that KP’s decision to include high-profile political names could further increase demand and bidding values.
The KP government has maintained that the funds generated from the auction will be utilized for public welfare and development projects, including improvements in transport infrastructure and public services managed by the Excise and Taxation Department.
As the auction date approaches, interest among vehicle owners continues to grow, with many viewing the opportunity as a chance to own a distinctive registration number linked to a prominent national figure. Whether the initiative sets new revenue records for the province will become clear once the bidding concludes at Nishtar Hall later this month.
