Commissioner Karachi initiates Complaint Cell for city issues

February 21, 2025 (MLN): 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).

The cell will comprise representatives from the Commissioner’s Office, relevant Deputy Commissioners’ Offices, and KCCI.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to KCCI, 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, according to the press release.

Additionally, shopkeepers who allow encroachers to operate in front of their establishments or provide them with electricity will face consequences.

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,” he said.

Commissioner Naqvi emphasized 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,” he added.

Regarding heavy vehicle movement restrictions during the daytime, he mentioned the possibility of allowing them to operate during off-peak hours to ease business operations.

He also acknowledged that many traffic signals in Karachi are dysfunctional, contributing to traffic chaos, and stressed the need to restructure the Traffic Engineering Bureau to improve road conditions and signal functionality.

Additionally, he revealed that multiple buildings in Karachi have been found misusing designated parking areas for commercial purposes such as shops and warehouses.

Some parking floors in busy commercial markets have been restored, but further action is required to address the issue.

Commissioner Naqvi urged the business community, especially the builder and developer associations, to comply with parking regulations.

“Strict enforcement of parking space requirements within buildings will be a significant step towards reducing congestion,” he stated.

He reiterated his commitment to working closely with KCCI and other stakeholders to resolve Karachi’s pressing issues.

While announcing the immediate revival of the “Commissioner-KCCI Liaison Committee,” he sought KCCI’s nominations to ensure urgent discussions on creating a business- and public-friendly environment in Karachi.

President KCCI Jawed Bilwani welcomed Commissioner Karachi and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address the city’s critical issues.

He highlighted the rising number of road accidents and called for practical solutions to improve 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 to night-time only, easing traffic flow and reducing road mishaps.

Expressing concern over dysfunctional traffic signals, he urged authorities to restore them immediately.

“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 added.

Bilwani strongly advocated for the introduction of an e-challan system in Karachi, emphasizing its potential to 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 create a digital record of violations, allowing for better tracking, accountability, and efficient revenue utilization, he explained.

He further mentioned that many buildings in Karachi, initially designated for parking, had illegally sold these spaces for commercial use, exacerbating the parking crisis.

“Immediate intervention from the Commissioner’s Office is needed to restore parking spaces to their original use, easing traffic woes,” he stated.

Bilwani also raised concerns about the misuse of Jinnah Flyover, where a damaged height barrier meant to restrict heavy vehicles has allowed oversized and overweight trucks to pass, leading to accidents.

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.

Copyright Mettis Link News