KARACHI: In an effort to combat the pervasive issue of arbitrary parking fees and enhance transparency, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated a Smart Parking System at Hyperstar Beach View Parking in Clifton. This initiative, led by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), is part of a broader strategy to implement digital and mechanical parking systems across the city, thereby addressing longstanding citizen complaints about the parking mafia and unaccounted fee collections.

According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the newly launched system allows citizens to know the exact fee and duration of their parking, while enabling KMC to maintain a digital record of the revenue generated. Mayor Wahab, addressing the ceremony on Monday, emphasized the significance of Clifton as a commercial and recreational hub, underscoring the need for organized parking solutions to improve civic amenities. The Smart Parking System aims to streamline parking operations and enhance transparency and efficiency through modern technology.

Mayor Wahab highlighted past issues with road parking, which led to the termination of parking agreements on KMC roads. Reports of unauthorized fee collections by certain Towns prompted the decision to establish regulated parking facilities at ten locations citywide. The first of these has opened near Dolmen Mall in Clifton, where users receive digital slips upon entering and exiting, paying fees based on their parking duration.

The mayor also announced plans to launch a new digital parking facility each month, fostering a gradual transition towards a modernized parking system. He urged citizens to report any illegal fee collections falsely attributed to KMC and called on Towns to cease road parking fees. Additionally, he outlined broader development initiatives, including road construction and garbage management, emphasizing the need for a transparent system and collaborative efforts to address municipal challenges effectively.