Relief for Karachiites as Sindh govt bans parking fee on all roads

In a bid to provide relief to citizens of Karachi, the Sindh government has imposed a complete ban on the collection of parking fees on all roads under the administrative control of town municipal corporations.

The local government department has asked the municipal authorities to end the collection of fee for parking of vehicles in all 25 town municipal corporations of the city.

"I am directed to refer to the subject noted above and to state that the Honourable Chief Minister of Sindh has pleased to impose ban on charged parking fees from roads," reads the letter addressed to the Municipal Commissioner, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), and all Town Municipal Corporations.

"The charged parking fees can be collected only on plots/ plazas / areas specifically maintained by specific councils for such purposes."

The municipal authorities have been instructed to take necessary action to ensure compliance with the directives of the chief minister.

Separately, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said that the decision to abolish roadside parking fees was taken in the public interest.

Read more: Karachi administration abolishes parking fees on major roads

"No institution is now authorised to collect parking charges on city roads," he said, noting that he had formally requested the chief minister to scrap the fees.

A ban had already been imposed on charged parking within the jurisdiction of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

The measure is expected to offer financial relief to residents, many of whom had long voiced frustration over unofficial and inconsistent parking charges across the city.