Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced that citizens must continue paying for vehicle parking until June 2025, reversing a promising statement from Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon last month. The abrupt shift has disappointed many after Memon claimed the provincial cabinet had scrapped the fees.
Mayor Wahab explained the delay to reporters after inaugurating a football ground in Gizri. “We can’t end Karachi charged parking overnight, it’s tied to legal contracts,” he said. “The entities managing these sites have agreements valid until June. After that, we’ll bring the issue to the city council.” He assured contractors would follow strict rules to prevent double parking and ease traffic congestion until then.
To offer relief, the mayor had previously promised to eliminate parking fees on roads and sites under Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) control. However, he clarified that fees would persist in the city’s 25 towns and six cantonment board areas outside KMC jurisdiction.
Read: Karachi Ends Parking Fees to Ease Traffic Congestion
Last month, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon raised hopes by announcing the abolition of Karachi-charged parking. The provincial cabinet’s decision aimed to lighten residents’ financial load. Yet, Mayor Wahab’s latest update highlights the complexity of undoing existing contracts, dashing expectations of immediate change.
Gizri Ground Opening Signals Civic Progress
On the same day, Mayor Wahab joined Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani to unveil the renovated Akbari football ground in Gizri. Completed in seven months for Rs221 million under the World Bank-backed Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (Click) project, the facility reflects the government’s push for better civic amenities. The event drew notable figures, including Special Assistants Najmi Alam, Waqar Mehdi, and MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig.
Ghani emphasized the province’s commitment to modern recreational spaces. “We’re dedicated to enhancing Karachi’s livability with projects like these,” he told attendees.
What’s Next for Karachiites?
For now, Karachi charged parking remains a reality until June 2025. The mayor’s pledge to regulate contractors offers some hope for smoother traffic, but tangible relief feels distant. As the city council prepares to revisit the issue mid-year, residents are left navigating stalled promises and gradual civic upgrades.
