ISLAMABAD: The traffic police will launch a crackdown on unauthorised registration number plates from Saturday after the expiry of 15-day deadline as the practice has made the safe city project useless, officials told Dawn.

The operators of the Safe City Project told some senior officials of the police that unauthorised number plates were making it difficult for the cameras installed on roads to capture number plates.The Safe City Project was playing vital role in combating crime, they stated, adding that but capturing clear face of people or number plates of vehicles was necessary, hence it was decided to replace all the registration plate with one which can easily be read by the CCTV cameras.

It was also decided to change the size of the registration plate issued by the excise and taxation office (ETO) to make it more clear and readable, they stated.Pattern of registration plates, including font and size and colour, has been described in the law, they stated, adding that but people preferred to use the plate of their choice due to different reason, including sub-standard plate issued by the ETO.

Over 75pc vehicles in capital are bearing non-pattern plates and taking action against such a large number if violators is dif ficult, they stated.

Spokesman for the ITP whencontacted said the action would be taken against all the violators indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, the ITP stated that they had launched a 15-day awareness campaign on April 1 aimed at educating vehicle drivers about the importance of authorized number plates. After the expiry of the deadhne on April 15, strict legal action will be taken against all those vehicles having non-pattern number plates. Staff Reporter