Karachi: In a significant public interest decision, Provincial Ombudsman Sindh Mohammad Sohail Rajput has declared discrepancies between online and telephonic vehicle verification conducted by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) as unlawful and detrimental to citizens, particularly vehicle sellers.
The Ombudsman observed that the lack of uniformity in verification systems leads to undervaluation of vehicles at the time of sale, causing financial losses and mental distress to owners. He further noted that such inconsistencies also raise doubts about the legal status of recovered vehicles, undermining public trust in official verification mechanisms.
In his ruling, Mr Rajput directed that once a stolen vehicle has been recovered and all legal formalities have been completed, it must be marked as “cleared” across all CPLC verification platforms without discrepancy. He also instructed CPLC to review and revise its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in accordance with the Lahore High Court judgment (PLD 2026 Lahore 84) and relevant international best practices. The authority has been ordered to submit a compliance report within 45 days.
The decision was issued while adjudicating a complaint filed by Mohammad Ali Lashari, who pointed out inconsistencies in the verification status of his vehicle. According to the complainant, the vehicle, which was stolen in August 2006 and recovered in October 2006, appeared cleared in online records but continued to reflect its stolen history during telephonic verification.
Despite completion of all legal formalities and subsequent transfer of ownership to multiple buyers, Lashari currently the fourth owner continued to face financial loss and legal complications nearly two decades after the incident due to outdated records.
The Ombudsman noted that the matter represents a broader systemic issue affecting numerous citizens rather than an isolated case. He also took serious notice of CPLC’s failure to present its SOPs during the proceedings, highlighting administrative lapses within the organization.
The ruling is expected to bring greater transparency, consistency, and accountability to vehicle verification systems in Sindh, while protecting citizens from financial harm and restoring confidence in regulatory processes.
