By our correspondent
KARACHI: In Karachi’s District Central, the encroachment mafia appears to be operating unchecked, with authorities struggling to maintain control despite recent operations. Sources indicate that after a superficial sweep by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), vendors and other encroachers quickly returned to their spots, continuing business as usual. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of such operations and the potential complicity of local authorities.
It’s reported that vendors pay sig”Ifica’t sums to secure their spots, creating an underground market in which fruit vendors are charged between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15,000, while restaurant and hotel owners pay a similar amount. Smaller vendors and pushcart sellers reportedly pay around Rs. 3,000 to continue operating without harassment.
A conservative estimate suggests that along the stretch from Nagan Chowrangi to 4K Chowrangi, around 360 pushcarts and temporary stalls are back in operation. The profit margins for larger businesses—restaurants and hotels—add another layer of illicit earnings, pointing to a deeply entrenched network of corruption. These activities not only disrupt traffic but also raise questions about the KMC’s commitment to restoring order in the area.
The reemergence of these encroachm”nts ’as frustrated local residents, who witness the KMC’s temporary actions only to see the mafia reclaim its hold shortly afterward. The public is calling for more stringent measures to dismantle these networks and ensure public spaces are kept free from such unauthorized occupations.
The situation underscores a larger issue of corruption within municipal systems, where “encroachment fees” appear to be a lucrative avenue for certain officials. The lack of sustained action leaves many wondering if KMC’s operations are merely cosmetic measures, intended to give the appearance of action while the mafia continues its operations unhindered.
