From Our Correspondent
MULTAN: The Punjab Provincial Transport Authority has issued official guidelines for the mandatory fitness certification of private motor cars, announcing a province-wide enforcement crackdown starting October 15, 2026. The inspection regime is projected to generate an estimated annual cash flow of Rs 2 to 3 billion for the provincial economy and the private testing operator, while fines and challans for non-compliance are expected to fetch an additional Rs 500 million to Rs 1 billion for the provincial exchequer.
According to the official notification, newer private vehicles have been granted initial exemptions based on engine capacity and manufacturing age:
Up to 1,000cc: Exempt for the first five years from the date of manufacture.
1,001cc to 2,000cc: Exempt for the first six years after manufacture.
Above 2,000cc: Exempt for the first seven years following manufacture.
The authority clarified that exemptions are strictly calculated from the date of manufacture rather than the purchase date. Consequently, buying an older vehicle will not restart or extend the exemption period.
Owners of vehicles crossing these age thresholds must obtain an annual fitness certificate from authorized Provincial Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) centres. The certificate will remain valid for one year. Strict enforcement, backed by traffic wardens and the Safe City e-challan network, will be rolled out across the province once the compliance deadline takes effect on October 15.
