Karachi, one of the most densely populated urban centers in the world, faces numerous challenges related to urban planning and infrastructure. One of the most persistent problems in the ancient areas of the city is the serious shortage of parking spaces, together with the high widespread harangue of the police, in particular the traffic personnel and the application personnel of the local law, who take advantage of the situation to extract bribes of motorists and defenseless motorcyclists. The problem has grown over time and has become a cause of daily frustration, financial burden and, in many cases, public resentment.
The old Karachi areas, such as Saddar, Kharadar, Mithadar, Bolton Market, Burns Road and parts of the garden, were never planned with motor vehicles in mind. These areas were developed during the British colonial domain and reflect the architectural and civic design of a past era. Narrow streets, well -packed buildings and the lack of open spaces leave little or no space to park large amounts of vehicles. Despite this, these areas remain important commercial and residential areas, attracting thousands of people every day.
The situation has worsened in recent years due to the increase in vehicle ownership. As the middle class expanded, more families have cars and motorcycles. However, the city’s infrastructure has not kept rhythm. There are no several -story parking spaces in most old areas, and the few that exist are poorly maintained or not functional. This means that drivers and bicycle owners are forced to park wherever they find space, which is often in paths, nearby intersections or along the already narrow roads. The lack of adequate parking regulations and facilities results in a severe congestion of traffic, especially during maximum business hours.
In the midst of this chaos, the behavior of the agencies of application of the law has become a subject of concern. Instead of helping to administer the situation or guide motorists to safer parking options, many police personnel members see the parking crisis as an opportunity for personal profits. It is now a common view to witness the Traffic Police and other uniformed personnel that stops vehicles, particularly motorcyclists, under the pretext of verifying documents or pointing out minor violations. The real objective, in most cases, is to request a bribe.
Motorists in areas such as Saddar complain that even when their vehicles are parked carefully and without obstructing traffic, often the police who demand money. If someone refuses to pay, they are threatened with strong fines, their vehicles are subject or towed, or are harassed in other ways. Motorcycle owners, often working class people who cannot pay such repeated payments, are particularly vulnerable. Many of them complain that even with valid documents and helmets, they are stopped and are asked to “pay something for tea.”
There is also a network of the so -called parking assistants, some of which are officially designated by municipal authorities, while others operate without any legal authority. In any case, many of them work in collusion with the police. They collect parking rates from drivers without issuing receipts and share income with local police officers. In the absence of regulated parking, these assistants demarcate public spaces such as personal parking lots and charge arbitrary amounts. When asked, they often respond with threats or point to a nearby policeman who is probably part of the agreement.
This culture of exploitation is severely rooted and difficult to challenge. Common citizens, who already fight with the increase in inflation, poor public transport and high fuel costs, feel helpless. There is no dedicated forum or complaint mechanism where people can inform such incidents with any hope of action. Attempts to complain at local police stations often result in greater harassment or are completely ignored. Meanwhile, the senior officials of the Traffic Police and the administration of the city turn a blind eye or issue routine statements that make little difference in the field.
There have been several attempts in the past to regulate the parking lot in old Karachi. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the now missing Karachi Transport Ittehad, have proposed to build underground or several -story parking spaces, but most of these projects have stagnated or failed due to the lack of political will, a bad planning or corruption. The parking space of the Empresas market, once acclaimed as a solution to Saddar’s traffic problems, remains underutilized due to poor access and maintenance problems. Similarly, Ma Jinnah Road’s parking proposals have never materialized in practical solutions.
What makes matter worse is the complete absence of alternative transport options. If people had a reliable, clean and safe public transport, many would gladly leave their cars and bicycles at home. But the Karachi public transport system is in ruins. The Rickshaws are expensive, buses are overcrowded and insecure, and transport services are not affordable daily. As a result, people trust private transport, which only increases the number of vehicles on roads and exacerbates the parking problem.
The increase in the number of motorcycles has created its own set of problems. Bicycles occupy less space, but are easier for both extortion and robbery. Motorcyclists often park their vehicles in small corners, but even then they are not saved by the greedy police personnel. Many say they maintain small money denominations in their pockets specifically to pay the police, if they stop. It has become part of the cost of daily trips. The psychological cost of this harassment should not be underestimated. Create a climate of fear, anger and distrust in public institutions.
In addition, the lack of adequate urban planning continues to add fuel to the fire. As the oldest buildings are replaced by shopping centers and shopping centers, there is no application of construction statutes that require developers to include parking spaces. This results in large structures without any parking disposition, spilling more vehicles in the streets. When complaints are raised, the answer is often that the terrestrial mafia and the powerful developers are too influential to be regulated.
The media have occasionally highlighted this problem, but the coverage tends to be sporadic and lacks monitoring. There are few in -depth investigations or sustained campaigns to expose the link between parking attendees, police and corrupt officials. Without public pressure and genuine political will to solve these problems, it is unlikely that the situation improves.
To address these problems, a multiponent approach is necessary. The city needs adequate urban planning that takes into account the realities of vehicle growth. Several floors parking spaces must be built in old areas, and existing ones must be updated and accessible. Technology can also play a role. For example, digital parking lots, mobile applications and central complaint systems could provide some transparency to the system. The most important thing is that police reforms must be implemented to address the problem of bribery and high currency. Officers declared guilty of extortion must be publicly punished to give an example.
Community participation is also essential. Local residents and business owners must be consulted in planning and application decisions. If people feel they have a participation in the maintenance of order and equity, they are more likely to cooperate. Civil society organizations and urban planners must participate in policy formulation to guarantee sustainable and friendly solutions for people.
The parking crisis in the old Karachi areas is not simply space. It is a symptom of deeper failures in governance, planning and application of the law. The daily suffering of common citizens, the power without police control and the growing frustration in the streets must be taken seriously. A city cannot work without problems when its residents are treated as criminals for simply trying to park their vehicles. It is time for authorities to listen to people and take significant measures to restore order, equity and dignity in public life.
The writer is an experienced journalist and a communications professional. Can be contacted in [email protected]
