Parking mafia in Karachi—II
- Why this continues
Core reasons
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Daily cash incentives
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Lack of political will
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Weak prosecution
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Fragmented authority (KMC, Police, Cantonment Boards)
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Absence of digital parking systems
READ MORE: Parking mafia in Karachi—I
Illegal parking has become a parallel revenue economy.
- Consequences for the City
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Public harassment and extortion
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Traffic congestion
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Damage to vehicles
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Erosion of trust in law enforcement
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Encouragement of petty corruption
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Lawlessness becoming “normal”
A city cannot function when illegality wears a uniform of routine.
- What Media & Courts Have Noted (Broadly)
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Multiple media exposés over the years
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Public interest petitions filed
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Temporary crackdowns — followed by quiet return of the mafia
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No sustained structural reform
Enforcement without reform equals theatre.
- What Needs to Be Done (Practical Reforms)
Immediate
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Zero-tolerance enforcement against illegal collectors
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Public helpline with rapid response
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Protection for citizens refusing payment
Structural
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Digital parking zones with QR payment
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Clear demarcation of paid vs free areas
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Revenue directly credited to city account
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Unified parking authority for Karachi
Legal
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Criminal cases against organisers, not collectors
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Departmental accountability for officers posted in mafia zones
Conclusion
Karachi’s parking mafia is not merely about money — it is about who controls public space.
When a citizen cannot park for five minutes without paying an illegal fee, the state has surrendered a basic civic function.
A city that cannot protect a parked car cannot protect the rule of law.
(Concluded)
Saeed Rasheed (Karachi)
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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