Punjab Vanity Number Plates Auction Shows Weak Response
The Punjab government launched a large-scale vanity number plates auction to generate revenue and attract citizens interested in personalised vehicle numbers. Inspired by Sindh’s successful high-value auctions, the Excise Department introduced this scheme across Punjab with ambitious financial targets. However, the actual response remained far below expectations due to limited awareness and weak competition.
Although authorities promoted the project as a major revenue source through premium and unique number plates, poor publicity and weak planning reduced public participation. As a result, buyers purchased the most number plates at their reserve prices, and some categories recorded no sales at all.
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Categories and Reserve Prices of Vanity Number Plates in Punjab
This year, the Punjab Excise Department introduced vanity plates in four different categories, each designed for a specific buyer segment. Officials set the reserve prices very high to match premium demand, but the market did not support these estimates.
Overview Of Prices of Vanity Number Plates in Punjab
| Category | Reserve Price Range | Plates Sold | Highest Sale | Revenue | Key Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum | Rs 50 lakh – Rs 1 crore | Included in total | Rs 60 lakh | Part of Rs 17 crore | Sab se mehngi category, lekin competition kam raha |
| Gold | Rs 20 lakh – Rs 50 lakh | Included in total | Reserve price par | Part of Rs 17 crore | Zyada tar plates reserve price par bikin |
| Silver | Rs 5 lakh – Rs 20 lakh | Included in total | Reserve price par | Part of Rs 17 crore | Medium demand, limited bidding |
| Corporate | Rs 5 lakh – Rs 1 crore | 0 | 0 | 0 | Is category mein aik bhi plate farokht nahi hui |
- Platinum category for ultra-premium buyers
- Gold category for high-income individuals
- Silver category for mid-range premium buyers
- Corporate category for companies and organisations
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Vanity Number Plates Categories and Reserve Prices
| Category | Reserve Price Range |
|---|---|
| Platinum | Rs 50 lakh – Rs 1 crore |
| Gold | Rs 50 lakh – Rs 1 crore |
| Silver | Rs 5 lakh – Rs 50 lakh |
| Corporate | Rs 50 lakh – Rs 1 crore |
Despite these offerings, citizens showed limited interest, especially due to poor marketing and a lack of official promotion.
Sales Performance and Revenue Generated in Punjab
According to excise officials, only three out of four categories recorded any sales. Even in those categories, the number of plates sold was quite low. The corporate category completely failed to attract buyers.
Key sales outcomes included:
- Only 130 number plates were sold across three categories
- Zero sales recorded in the corporate category
- Total revenue of Rs 17 crore generated
- Most plates were sold at the reserve price due to low competition
Punjab Vanity Plates Sales Summary
| Detail | Figures |
|---|---|
| Total categories launched | 4 |
| Categories with sales | 3 |
| Number plates sold | 130 |
| Corporate category sales | 0 |
| Total revenue generated | Rs 17 crore |
The most expensive plate in Punjab had a reserve price of Rs 50 lakh and was sold for Rs 60 lakh, making it the highest-value sale in the province.
Comparison with Sindh’s Record-Breaking Auction
The Punjab auction was heavily compared with Sindh, where vanity number plates have generated massive revenue. In Sindh, a single number plate was sold for more than Rs 10 crore, setting a national record and creating strong public interest.
That record-breaking plate, ‘A One’, was purchased in June 2024 by industrialist Muzammil Paracha. His purchase gained nationwide attention and went viral on social media, highlighting the potential of vanity plates when marketed effectively.
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Death of Pakistan’s Most Expensive Number Plate Buyer
Muzammil Paracha, who bought Pakistan’s most expensive number plate for Rs 10 crore, later passed away after battling cancer. He died during treatment in Dubai, UAE. His death triggered widespread reactions on social media, where users expressed condolences and reflected on the temporary nature of wealth.
Reasons Behind Low Interest in Punjab Vanity Plates
Several factors contributed to the weak response in Punjab:
- Lack of proper publicity by the Excise Department
- No aggressive marketing or awareness campaigns
- High reserve prices without matching demand
- Limited competition during auctions
Due to these issues, the vanity plates project failed to deliver the expected results.
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FAQs
Why did Punjab vanity number plates fail to attract buyers?
Due to poor publicity, weak marketing, and very high reserve prices, public interest remained low.
How much revenue did Punjab generate from vanity plates?
Punjab earned Rs 17 crore by selling only 130 number plates across three categories.
What is Pakistan’s most expensive number plate?
The ‘A One’ number plate sold in Sindh for over Rs 10 crore.
Which category had zero sales in Punjab?
The corporate category failed to sell even a single number plate.
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