Municipal & District Administrations to jointly enforce hotel SOPs to eliminate encroachments

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jul, 2026) In a major step towards ensuring an orderly, business-friendly, and encroachment-free Karachi, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has announced that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), in coordination with the district administration, will begin the strict implementation of the approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for regulating small hotels and roadside food businesses across the city.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting jointly chaired by Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Commissioner Karachi Syed Hasan Naqvi. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Central Taha Saleem, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi, and other deputy commissioners, who reviewed the existing regulatory framework and discussed measures for its effective implementation.

According to the press release issued, Addressing the meeting, the mayor said that the city administration fully supports legitimate businesses and believes that economic activity should continue without unnecessary hurdles. However, he emphasized that commercial activities must be conducted within a transparent and regulated framework that protects public spaces and ensures convenience for citizens.

Mayor Karachi announced that, under the approved SOPs developed in consultation with representatives of the hotel association and other stakeholders, all applications seeking permission to operate roadside hotel businesses will be processed through a fully digital and transparent system, taking into account the limitations and right-of-way of roads across the city.

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Under the new mechanism, business operators will submit their applications online. Following the prescribed verification process, which will be carried out jointly by the relevant Town Municipal Corporation (TMC) and the office of the concerned Deputy Commissioner, permissions will be issued digitally. To facilitate business continuity and eliminate unnecessary delays, applicants who complete the required process will be issued a unique barcode-based permit that will serve as proof of authorization.

He further stated that all fees collected under this system will be deposited directly into the accounts of the respective Town Municipal Corporations. These funds will be utilized exclusively for city development, beautification projects, and the improvement of municipal services within the respective towns.

The Mayor directed all deputy commissioners and municipal authorities to begin implementing the SOPs without further delay and ensure that enforcement is carried out uniformly across all districts. He stressed that no unauthorized occupation of roads, footpaths, or other public spaces would be tolerated, adding that public convenience and urban discipline remain the administration’s top priorities.