KARACHI: In response to concerns regarding rising encroachments, dilapidated infrastructure, and severe traffic congestion on Karachi’s streets, Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi announced the establishment of a “Complaint Cell” at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) which will comprise representatives from the Commissioner’s Office, relevant Deputy Commissioners’ Offices, and KCCI.
Speaking at a meeting during his visit to KCCI on Thursday, Commissioner Naqvi stated, “This complaint cell is being established to address numerous issues faced by the business community, particularly the hardships of shopkeepers in various commercial markets who struggle due to encroachments in front of their shops.”
Strict and prompt action will be taken against encroachments, including penalties and the sealing of business premises. Additionally, shopkeepers who willingly allow encroachers to operate in front of their establishments or provide them with electricity will face consequences, he said, adding that the complaint review process will ensure that no injustice is done to shopkeepers during the encroachment clearance operations.
The meeting was attended by President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso, Chairman Karachi Upliftment Subcommittee Nusair Siraj Teli, and KCCI Managing Committee Members.
Addressing concerns over inflated commodity prices during Ramadan, Commissioner Naqvi assured that efforts are underway to regulate prices. Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners have been conducting daily market visits to take action against hoarders and profiteers. “Our crackdown on price control has been intensified in the last three months and will be further strengthened to ensure affordability for the public.”
Commissioner Naqvi was of the view that traffic congestion will persist until the completion of ongoing development projects, particularly the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) initiative. “Until then, we will have to manage the situation and ensure better traffic regulation.”
Addressing the issue of heavy vehicle movement restrictions during the daytime, he said that the possibility of allowing heavy vehicles to operate during off-peak hours could be taken into consideration to reduce hardships faced by businesses and industrialists.
Additionally, he admitted that many traffic signals in the city are dysfunctional, contributing to traffic chaos. He emphasized the urgent need to restructure the Traffic Engineering Bureau to improve road conditions and proper functioning of traffic signals across Karachi.
Commissioner Naqvi revealed that multiple buildings in Karachi have been found misusing designated parking areas for commercial purposes such as shops and warehouses. Thanks to the recent actions taken, parking floors in some of the buildings situated at the busiest commercial markets have been restored to their intended use but a lot more still needs to be done as it is an ongoing exercise.
He urged the business community, especially builder and developer association, to support the Commissioner’s Office by ensuring compliance with parking regulations. “Strict enforcement of parking space requirements within buildings will be a significant step towards reducing congestion,” he added.
The Commissioner reiterated his commitment to working closely with KCCI and other stakeholders to resolve the pressing issues affecting Karachi’s business community and residents. While announcing the immediate revival of “Commissioner-KCCI Liaison Committee”, Hassan Naqvi sought KCCI’s nominations for this Committee so that numerous issues could urgently be discussed to create a business and public-friendly environment all over Karachi.
President KCCI Jawed Bilwani, while welcoming Commissioner Karachi, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address the city’s pressing issues. He particularly highlighted the rising number of road accidents and called for practical & widely accepted solutions to enhance road safety.
Bilwani pointed out that heavy vehicles of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) contribute to daytime traffic congestion and accidents. He proposed restricting garbage collection during night-time only up to early morning hours, which would ease traffic flow and reduce road mishaps.
He also expressed deep concerns over dysfunctional traffic signals and urged authorities to ensure their immediate activation. “Instead of deploying traffic police to manually control traffic, fully operational signals would allow officers to focus on enforcing laws, such as penalizing violators of traffic signals and one-way rules”, he said.
Bilwani strongly advocated for the introduction of an e-challan system in Karachi, highlighting its potential to significantly improve law enforcement, reduce bribery, and enhance transparency.
“An e-ticketing system would eliminate human involvement in issuing fines, ensuring fairness and reducing corruption. Automated challans will also create a digital record of violations, allowing for better tracking, accountability, and efficient revenue utilization”, he explained.
President KCCI further mentioned that many buildings in Karachi, after initially designating the first three floors for parking, had illegally sold these spaces for other purposes, such as storage or commercial use. This malpractice has led to a severe shortage of parking, forcing residents to leave their vehicles on streets, exacerbating congestion and accidents. “Immediate intervention from the Commissioner’s Office is needed to restore parking spaces to their original use, easing traffic woes.
Jawed Bilwani also drew attention to the misuse of Jinnah flyover, from MT Khan Road to Mauripur Road, where a previously installed height barrier—meant to restrict heavy vehicles—has been damaged. As a result, oversized and overweight vehicles are now using the bridge, posing serious safety risks. “Given the bridge’s narrow structure and weight limitations, the unrestricted movement of heavy vehicles has led to several accidents, some even fatal. We strongly urge immediate restoration or reconstruction of the height barrier to prevent further tragedies”, he added.
He assured that KCCI remains committed to working with the Commissioner’s Office to implement practical solutions for Karachi’s traffic and infrastructure challenges, ensuring a safer and more efficient urban environment.
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