KARACHI, PAKISTAN:
A period of tension between Karachi’s civic administration and small business owners regarding the use of public space has concluded, as an agreement was successfully reached between the Commissioner Karachi and the local Hotels Association. Consequently, all roadside tea stalls and hotels that were sealed during a recent drive have begun to be reopened.
The enforcement operation, which commenced on October 27, aimed at clearing encroachments that severely obstructed pedestrian movement and traffic flow on city footpaths and roads. The crackdown resulted in the sealing of a total of 255 roadside establishments across the metropolitan area.
The Commissioner Karachi confirmed that a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been mutually developed. The decision to de-seal the establishments was made after hotel owners provided written assurances and signed affidavits pledging adherence to the new SOP, which is specifically designed to ensure that businesses do not impede traffic or block footpaths.
Under the new regulatory framework, the allocation of space required by a hotel or tea stall will be determined based on confirmation from the Mukhtiarkar (Revenue Officer) and Traffic Police, followed by a recommendation from the Town Officer. The relevant Deputy Commissioner (DC) will then issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC). This resolution brings significant relief to the many low-income workers whose livelihoods were impacted by the sealing campaign, marking an effort to balance the citizens’ right to conduct business with the critical need to maintain public thoroughfares.
