Charging illegal parking fee in public spaces is a pervasive practice which complicates the daily routine of people, and raises legal and safety concerns. In many areas, on-street parking remains largely unmanaged.
While technically illegal, it is common to see vehicles parked along roadsides, often with individuals collecting informal fee for ‘watching’ the cars. The parking mafia operates without any official permit or licence, exploiting loopholes in regulations and preying on the lack of designated parking infrastructure.
The modus operandi of the mafia is that it ‘helps’ drivers park cars and then ‘watch’ them under the guise of private parking, and it is often accom- panied by threats and intimidation to coerce the drivers into paying.
This not only deprives the city of its rightful revenue, but also adds to the burden of corruption, and creates a climate of fear. People earn millions through these illegal money-making parking practices. Multiple cases have been filed against this mafia, and several complaints have been registered under the system of public interest litigation (PIL).
However, the authorities have continued to struggle to effectively launch a crackdown on illegal parking, leading to frustration among the people, and a sense of impunity among the violators.
EEMAN ASAD
KARACHI
