The parking mafia is divided into groups and they have signed agreements with malls, restaurants and hospitals owners
ISLAMABAD: The city of Islamabad has developed a severe issue in terms of parking. The parking mafia takes extra money for parking in many areas across the city and don’t care about the vehicles. If they are taking more money that what was set by the government then they should also take care of the cars but instead they tell people to park vehicles at their own risk. They are not government employees so they shouldn’t be taking any money in the first place. Paying Rs100 to Rs300 is too much. Who gives them authority to take parking charges?
If someone tries to stop them or refuses to give them the ‘fee’ for parking then the parking mafia behaves rudely and sometimes fights with people saying that they have to pay the parking fee at all costs. The parking mafia is divided into groups and they have signed agreements with malls, restaurants and hospitals owners who take some percentage from the parking fee in return for allowing them control of parking spaces.
I wish to draw the attention of the authorities concerned because this is a serious issue because not everyone can afford giving such a high fee every day, especially those who have to go for work. Hopefully, the government or the relevant authorities will take swift action and find a solution at the earliest.
Muhammad Saad Ullah
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2020.
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