Karachi’s vibrant roadside culture is making a comeback. City authorities have reopened 255 tea stalls and small hotels that were earlier sealed during an anti-encroachment drive. The decision comes after all businesses fulfilled the required legal procedures and agreed to operate under newly approved guidelines.
A committee led by Additional Commissioner Ghulam Mehdi Shah finalized the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during a recent review. Hotel owners, along with representatives of the Hotels Association, submitted written guarantees and affidavits confirming their commitment to follow the rules.
Under the revised SOPs, no business will be allowed to block footpaths, roads, or public walkways. Vendors operating on roads that are 100 feet wide or more will also be restricted from occupying additional space. To ensure clarity, the city has divided roads into three zones, each with defined boundaries to prevent future encroachments.
Commissioner Karachi Syed Hasan Naqvi emphasized that the city will maintain strict monitoring. Any violation of the new guidelines will lead to immediate action. He noted that the goal is to preserve Karachi’s lively tea stall culture while ensuring safety, smooth traffic flow, and convenience for pedestrians.
The reopening of these stalls has brought relief to many small business owners and joy to residents who consider roadside tea spots an essential part of Karachi’s identity.
