KARACHI: Karachi is moving toward smarter parking, as Mayor Murtaza Wahab said Wednesday that a digital system at designated KMC lots is nearing completion and could launch within days.
The system is designed to streamline parking payments, prevent unauthorized charges, and give the city greater control over parking revenue.
Wahab said the digital system will be introduced only at designated KMC parking lots. He also clarified that parking fees have already been abolished on KMC roads, meaning the new system will not bring back roadside parking charges.
The automated system will record each parking transaction and issue receipts, creating a digital record of payments collected at participating facilities. According to Wahab, this will help reduce revenue leakage and prevent contractors from overcharging drivers beyond approved parking fees.
The Smart Parking system will also allow motorists to receive digital tickets and make cashless payments. Real-time updates on available spaces are expected to make it easier for drivers to find parking, while enhanced security and monitoring will be introduced at these facilities.
The initiative comes as Karachi continues to face parking challenges in busy commercial and public areas, where limited parking spaces can contribute to traffic congestion and make it difficult for motorists to find convenient parking.
The pilot also forms part of KMC’s wider effort to bring digital technology into municipal services and improve accountability in the management of public facilities. Once operational, the system will give the city an opportunity to assess how effectively digital tools can improve parking management before expanding the model to other designated facilities.
“This initiative will not only address Karachi’s growing parking demands but also mark a shift towards digital civic infrastructure — a long-term investment in the city’s future,” a KMC spokesperson said.
