PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is ready to enact the first street economy legislation to protect the rights of street cart vendors.
In a statement, the KP Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, said that the draft of the Ehsaas Reedi Ban Rozgar Tahafuz Bill 2025 had been finalised.
According to CM KP, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become the first province where the rights of poor street vendors are being made a permanent part of the law.
He said more than 1.4 million street cart vendors are being included in the ambit of state protection, and now no one will be able to rob the livelihood of pushcart vendors in the province.
Mr Afridi said the provincial government had made history by giving a complete legal framework to the Rs 380 billion street economy.
He added that harassment and bribery will be declared a serious crime in the new law, while anti-encroachment actions against registered street vendors without notice will be completely prohibited.
According to the CM KP, the new law will provide vendors with access to microfinance, credit, insurance and emergency support.
He said the KP government was implementing Imran Khan’s vision of the state of Medina, where every citizen can get equal protection under the law.
CM KP adds ‘Safe vending zones for cart vendors, clear rights, and full legal protection will be ensured under the law.”
He further elaborated that the street vending certificate will guarantee legal protection, and the daily earnings of vendors will be protected under the government umbrella, and representation of street vendors will be mandatory in the decisions of the new Tehsil Vending Committees.
Mr Afridi said he acknowledged the hard work and self-respect of pushcart sellers, and they would restore their lost self-respect
He said the bill was being sent to the cabinet for approval before being presented in the House.
