Mayor Murtaza Wahab has announced that all charged parking across roads within Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) limits will be discontinued starting Tuesday. From now on, parking at all KMC-designated sites will be completely free, with the exception of a few gated or enclosed locations, where fees will still apply.
According to Express News, Mayor Wahab had initially announced in February this year, pledging to eliminate parking fees in areas managed by KMC to ease the financial burden on citizens.
Speaking to Express, the mayor stated that although KMC previously earned around Rs 40 to 50 million annually through parking fees, the Corporation no longer relies on this revenue stream. “KMC is now financially stable and self-sufficient,” he said.
Wahab explained that parking charges have been fully abolished at 46 parking sites across 106 main roads within the KMC’s jurisdiction.
Instructions have been issued to charged parking staff, deputy commissioners, and traffic police to stop collecting any parking fees on these roads. However, fees will still apply at gated locations such as Bara Dari, Dolmen Center, Safari Park, Karachi Zoo, and a few designated parking areas.
He also warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found collecting parking fees illegally within KMC’s limits. “Our priority is to provide relief and ease to the citizens of Karachi,” he added.
Mayor Wahab further noted that a final decision regarding parking fees in the six cantonment board areas is still pending.