Asalaam alikum,
I visited City Center yesterday for this same task.
You don't have to handover original file and don't need any agent either, the process is pretty straightforward.
Process
- Number plates related work is handled on 2nd floor of Vehicle excise building within City Center Karachi.
- As you enter the hall, you will see counters on your left hand and few office rooms on the right, outside each office usually a peon is standing. Just tell any peon you need to get 'parchi' for issuance of new number plate and he will direct you to the correct office door (there is normally a line of people).
- The officer inside will inquire whether you are the car owner, present car smart card/ registration book to him and he will write you a 'parchi' which will have counter number on first line and then your car registration number.
- Now go to the counter mentioned on 'parchi', they will ask you to write your mobile number on 'parchi' so keep a pen with you. They will ask for Rs.800/- or Rs.1800/- (if number plate is being issued for unregistered car). You will be asked to wait for a few minutes and then an printout of receipt will be handed over to you.
Now, if you ask them when you can collect the new number plates, they will tell you to go to the room where number plates are being issued to inquire when your plates will be available but that room as a line of people who are there to collect their plates. So someone there advised me that just wait for SMS message and visit after 2 days of SMS to collect plates. You must have original smart card/registration book to collect the number plates, that is why your agent is asking for original file.
My advise would be to visit early (10 am) and in the middle of week to avoid rush and save money by not using agent. I will update this reply once I actually collect my plates. Hope this helps.