Business leaders in Saddar have flatly rejected the Sindh government’s newly proposed “No-Parking” pilot project, warning that the move could cripple local commerce.
Rizwan Irfan, president of the Saddar Electronic Market, confirmed that he will formally escalate these concerns to the relevant authorities following a briefing from the deputy commissioner of Karachi.
The Proposed Plan
The government’s initiative aims to declare Saddar and Zaibunnisa Street as “No-Parking Zones.” Key features of the proposal include:
Total Parking Ban: No cars or motorcycles allowed to park on the streets.
Pick-and-Drop Only: Only temporary stops for passengers would be permitted.
Hefty Fines: A proposal to fine shopkeepers Rs 50,000 if makeshift stalls (encroachments) are found in front of their premises.
Traders’ Core Objections
The business community has raised several red flags regarding the feasibility of the project.
Irfan argued that designating Abdullah Haroon Road as a no-parking zone is “unacceptable” until the government provides dedicated parking plazas or spaces.
Traders fear that forcing customers to park several hundred meters away will drastically reduce footfall and drive away business.
Irfan criticized the plan to fine shopkeepers for external encroachments, stating that authorities—not business owners are responsible for clearing illegal stalls.
Proposed Solution
Instead of a ban, the Electronic Market President suggested a long-term infrastructure fix: constructing an underground parking facility beneath Jehangir Park to accommodate the heavy traffic flow.
“No decision will be accepted without prior consultation with the stakeholders,” the traders warned, calling on the Sindh Government and the Mayor of Karachi to intervene immediately.
