The Sindh government has announced the abolition of charged parking across Karachi, bringing temporary relief to citizens who were previously forced to pay parking fees in various markets.
The traffic police have begun implementing the order after the Karachi mayor abolished parking fees in the city, ensuring that citizens can now park their vehicles without any charges in designated areas. The parking mafia did not charge any fee in the city's biggest market on Thursday.
According to traffic police officials, charged parking has been abolished in key commercial zones, including Regal and Saddar Mobile Market. Citizens can now park their motorcycles and cars in a single lane without any fee. However, parking charges are still being collected in certain areas, causing concerns among the public.
While many welcomed the move, some Karachi residents expressed scepticism over how long the measure would last. “For the first time, no one came to ask for Rs20 or Rs30 to park,” said a citizen, appreciating the decision.
However, others voiced concerns about a potential new issue -- motorcycle confiscation by the police. “The mafia is not taking money anymore, but what if the police start taking away bikes instead?” a worried motorcyclist remarked.
Despite the government’s announcement, citizens reported that charged parking had not been abolished in several areas. They urged the authorities to ensure full implementation across the city. Moreover, Cantonment Board areas remain exempt from the decision, meaning that parking charges will still apply in those zones.
