The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has eliminated transfer fees for motorcycles and rickshaws by passing an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Registration Bill. This initiative is designed to ease the financial burden on the public amid the ongoing fuel shortage triggered by the conflict in Iran.
Dawood Shah, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, introduced the private member’s bill in the KP Assembly. The revised law cancels the Rs 500 transfer fee for motorcycles and Rs 800 for rickshaws. Furthermore, charges for number plates and smart cards have been removed. The legislation also abolishes the Rs 2,300 registration fee for motorcycles and Rs 2,600 for rickshaws.
To offer immediate assistance, a one-month special exemption period has been granted for vehicle registrations. The Provincial Excise Department is now responsible for enforcing the updated fee structure under the amended legislation.
In a related development, the KP government has imposed restrictions on business hours province-wide to conserve electricity. Markets and commercial plazas in divisional headquarters will close by 9:00 PM, while those in other districts must shut by 8:00 PM. Restaurants, cafes, wedding halls, and events are required to conclude activities by 10:00 PM. However, home delivery and takeaway services are permitted to operate beyond these hours.
The new timing regulations also apply to private offices, academies, banks, jewellery shops, and fitness centres. Industrial, manufacturing, and export units are exempt from these limits, though retail outlets linked to industries must comply with the prescribed hours. Additionally, the government has mandated that decorative and unnecessary lighting, including façade illumination, be turned off to reduce power consumption.
Administrative secretaries and commissioners have been tasked with ensuring strict adherence to these rules, with deputy commissioners overseeing market compliance at the district level.
Meanwhile, Balochistan’s government has introduced similar curbs. Markets and shopping centres in Quetta will now close at 8:00 PM, except for essential services such as medical stores, tandoors, and naan shops. Events at wedding halls, banquet halls, and hotels are required to finish by 10:00 PM, and restaurants and hotels must also cease operations at this time. These measures are part of broader efforts to regulate business hours and manage energy consumption in the province.
