Karachi Parking Crisis in Old City Areas | Challenges & Solutions

By Staff Reporter

July 20, 2025

Karachi’s historic areas like Saddar, Bolton Market, and Burns Road face a growing parking crisis due to narrow streets, rising vehicles, and lack of facilities. With poor public transport and limited parking plazas, residents struggle daily. Experts call for modern planning, better transport, and community-focused solutions.

Karachi, one of the world’s most crowded megacities, continues to battle long-standing urban planning issues. Among the most pressing challenges in its old city areas is the severe shortage of parking spaces, coupled with mismanagement and the exploitation of motorists.

Congested Streets, Limited Spaces

Neighborhoods such as Saddar, Kharadar, Mithadar, Bolton Market, Burns Road, and parts of Garden were designed more than a century ago, long before motor vehicles became a common sight. Narrow lanes, historic architecture, and a lack of open areas leave little room for proper parking. Yet, these localities remain vital commercial and residential hubs, attracting thousands daily.

The sharp rise in vehicle ownership has only intensified the problem. With very few functional parking plazas in these zones, drivers often leave cars and bikes on already packed roads, footpaths, and intersections — worsening traffic congestion.

The Human Cost of Poor Management

Instead of finding relief, commuters often face additional hurdles. Many citizens complain of being unfairly fined or harassed for minor violations. Motorcycle owners, particularly from the working class, report being stopped frequently and asked for “small payments.”

Adding to the problem is the presence of unofficial “parking attendants.” Some may have links to local authorities, while others operate without any legal mandate. In many cases, motorists are charged arbitrary fees without receipts. This unregulated system adds to public frustration and distrust.

Projects That Failed to Deliver

Over the years, proposals to build multistorey or underground parking plazas in Karachi’s old quarters have been announced, but very few were completed. Even successful projects, like the Empress Market plaza, remain underutilised due to accessibility issues. Meanwhile, new commercial plazas are often built without mandatory parking facilities, forcing even more vehicles onto the streets.

Public Transport and Daily Struggles

One of the biggest reasons for the growing parking crisis is the absence of safe and affordable public transport. Buses remain overcrowded, rickshaws are costly, and ride-hailing services are beyond the daily budget of most residents. With limited alternatives, people rely on personal vehicles, further intensifying the problem.

Motorbike users, though requiring less space, face their own challenges. Many complain of both extortion and theft, forcing them to keep spare change for “routine stops.” This constant stress has created a sense of fear and mistrust among commuters.

Path Toward Sustainable Solutions

Urban experts argue that Karachi needs a multi-pronged approach to fix this problem:

• Modern Parking Facilities: Construction of new multistorey plazas and upgrading existing ones.

• Technology Integration: Use of digital parking meters, mobile apps, and online payment systems.

• Police Reforms: Strict accountability for personnel involved in harassment or unlawful fines.

• Urban Planning Enforcement: Ensuring that new commercial buildings include proper parking facilities.

• Public Transport Revival: Expanding affordable, safe, and reliable transport options to reduce private car dependency.

• Community Engagement: Involving residents, shop owners, and civil society in planning and monitoring.

A Call for Change

The parking crisis in Karachi’s old city areas is more than just a matter of space — it reflects broader challenges of governance, planning, and accountability. Without meaningful reforms, ordinary citizens will continue to bear the cost of inefficiency and mismanagement.

For Karachi to function smoothly and fairly, the voices of its residents must be heard, and solutions must move beyond paper proposals. Ensuring fairness, dignity, and transparency in urban life is not just a necessity — it is the foundation of a city that works for its people.