Karachi residents received major relief after authorities eliminated illegal parking in Saddar, following a decisive operation that targeted unauthorized fee collection across one of the city’s busiest commercial districts.
Assistant Commissioner General Hazim Bhangwar led the crackdown, focusing on Saddar Mobile Market, Cooperative Market, Abdullah Haroon Road, and areas outside Zainab Market known for congestion.
Visit Times of Karachi website for the latest news-related content
District officials said the operation aimed to restore public convenience, reduce traffic bottlenecks, and curb exploitation of motorists who were routinely charged illegally for roadside parking.
Teams from Anti-Encroachment Police, the Deputy Director Anti-Encroachment office, and other departments jointly participated, ensuring enforcement support and preventing resistance during the multi-day campaign operations.
READ: Karachi gets first dedicated ambulance lane
During the drive, officials seized several motorcycles used by illegal parking operators, signaling strict action against networks that had openly collected fees without authorization permits.
According to the district administration, 24 individuals involved in running illegal parking businesses were arrested over 4 days, and First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against them.
Follow the Times of Karachi channel on WhatsApp
In a parallel anti-encroachment drive, authorities sealed more than three hundred shops and hotels, while cases were filed against 12 people for violations of regulations.
Media reports suggested that members of parking and encroachment mafias hurriedly shut their businesses and fled as enforcement teams arrived, attempting to evade arrests and penalties.
