SHC orders KMC to end unauthorised charged parking spots in Karachi

The Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to end unauthorised charged parking spots in the port city.

On Tuesday, a two-member bench of the SHC comprising Justice Nadeem Akhtar and Justice Mohammad Abdur Rehman issued the directives as the court heard a set of petitions filed against the charged parking sprang up on roads, footpaths and other public and private places in different parts of the metropolis.

During today’s hearing, Justice Akhtar asked KMC’s counsel, “Under which law do you charge parking fee?”

“The KMC is allowed to collect parking fees on 41 roads and service roads. Under the Sindh Local Government Act, the KMC is allowed to collect the fee aimed at maintaining roads,” replied the lawyer.

The court then asked how the KMC would stop irrelevant people from collecting the fee in the name of the corporation.

The judge observed that in foreign countries, machines are installed for this purpose, and asked if KMC is allowed to collect fees from all the areas in the metropolis.

Justice Akhtar in his remarks termed the KMC’s report submitted in the court “contrary to the facts”, adding that the issue would not be resolved by mere paperwork.

Expressing his annoyance, Justice Akhtar said that the court was provided with a list of 43 charged parking spots, but on its website, the number of such spots is 81.

Justice Akhtar also expressed his displeasure over the non-implementation of the court’s previous ruling about the illegal parking spots and asked how could KMC collect fees in the areas that do not fall under the jurisdiction of the corporation.

He further questioned under what law you are charging fees from those areas where you are unable to maintain roads.

Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till December 13.