Govt approves tinted vehicle windows, sets annual fee at Rs15,000

The federal government has approved a new nationwide policy allowing the use of tinted vehicle windows under a regulated permit system, ending years of legal ambiguity while addressing security concerns raised by law enforcement agencies, 24NewsHD TV reported.

According to official sources, the Ministry of Interior has finalized the "Policy/SOPs for Tinted Glass Permit 2025" following parliamentary approval.

The policy establishes a comprehensive legal framework defining who is eligible for tinted glass permits, how they will be issued, monitored and enforced, and the conditions under which tinted windows may be used.

Under the new regulations, motorists can apply for a tinted glass permit by paying an annual fee of Rs15,000.

Permits will primarily be issued on medical or security grounds, although the detailed eligibility criteria will be finalized in consultation with relevant government departments.

The policy also addresses the long-standing issue of factory-fitted tinted windows in imported vehicles, many of which meet international manufacturing standards but have faced legal complications under Pakistan's previous restrictions.

Officials said the framework is intended to eliminate confusion by clearly specifying when tinted windows are permissible and by introducing uniform enforcement guidelines for authorities across the country.

Under the approved policy, members of parliament will be eligible to obtain tinted glass permits free of charge.

The initiative follows deliberations in the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, where lawmakers recommended replacing the blanket ban on tinted windows with a regulated permit mechanism.

Committee members argued that the new system would provide legal certainty for vehicle owners while enabling law enforcement agencies to maintain effective oversight.

The policy is also expected to create a central database of approved vehicles, improve monitoring, provide a clear regulatory framework for imported vehicles, and generate government revenue through annual permit fees.

With the implementation of the new framework, Pakistan will replace its previously fragmented enforcement approach with a standardized nationwide policy governing the legal use of tinted vehicle windows.