The legislation includes financial measures such as microfinance, credit, insurance and emergency support.
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will formally regulate and protect the livelihoods of street vendors, following the finalization of a landmark bill, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi announced on Wednesday.
The Ehsaas Rehribaan (Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Bill, 2025, once passed by the provincial cabinet and ratified by the Assembly, aims to bring more than 140,000 street vendors into a legal framework that safeguards their rights, regulates vending spaces and integrates them into the formal economy.
At a press conference, Chief Minister Afridi described the legislation as a historic step to recognize and formalize the contributions of street vendors, who play an important role in local commerce, food security and accessibility to affordable services. “This is more than legislation; it is a declaration that in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, every individual, no matter how small his trade, is protected by the rule of law,” he said.
The proposed law will prohibit illegal eviction, harassment, bribery or coercion by government officials, police or private individuals. Acts of intimidation or illegal demands by vendors will be considered serious criminal offences, the Chief Minister confirmed.
One of the key features of the law is the Street Vending Certificate, which will serve as legal proof that will protect daily earnings and ensure that vendors are no longer subject to arbitrary or exploitative practices. In addition to legal safeguards, the bill provides for financial inclusion measures such as microfinance, credit, insurance and emergency support, which will allow providers to stabilize their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Chief Minister Afridi emphasized the bill’s commitment to due process, noting that anti-encroachment action cannot be taken against registered providers without prior notice, evidence-based justification and compliance with legal procedures. He added that representation of vendors will be mandatory in all Tehsil Sales Committees, which will regulate sales zones, manage registration and resolve disputes, ensuring that policy formulation is inclusive and transparent.
The initiative aligns with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of a just and welfare-oriented State, Afridi said, highlighting the government’s focus on protecting vulnerable citizens whose daily income is critical for survival. “By securing their income, we are restoring self-respect and dignity to families who have long suffered in informal and unsafe conditions,” he added.
Afridi also stressed that the law is designed not only to protect income but also to connect vendors with broader economic opportunities, allowing them to become empowered, responsible and legally recognized participants in the provincial economy.
