Traders in Rawalpindi’s Saddar area have urged the federal government to make adequate parking facilities mandatory before approving new commercial plazas in the Rawalpindi Cantonment.
The traders said the shortage of parking has become a serious issue in Saddar, particularly after Bank Road was converted into a pedestrian-only street and vehicle access was restricted.
General Secretary of the Markazi Anjuman Tajran Rawalpindi Cantonment, Zaffar Qadri, said the decision has made it difficult for customers to reach the main commercial area. He added that many existing commercial plazas also lack sufficient parking facilities.
Parking is not permitted on the main road, leaving visitors dependent on available spaces along Kashmir Road, Haider Road and Adamjee Road, Qadri said.
The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has allocated two parking areas in Saddar, including one on Haider Road near the Metro Bus station and another in front of Ceros Cinema. Together, these facilities can accommodate around 700 vehicles.
However, traders said the available parking is insufficient to serve the large number of shops, commercial plazas and visitors in the area.
Qadri also pointed out that parking facilities inside major commercial buildings, including Rania Mall, have become less useful since vehicles are no longer allowed to enter Bank Road.
He claimed that new commercial plazas continue to receive construction approvals despite the lack of adequate parking arrangements.
According to the traders, limited parking and restricted accessibility have discouraged customers from visiting Saddar, causing financial losses for local businesses.
The traders’ association has demanded that authorities stop approving new commercial shops and plaza projects unless adequate parking is arranged. They called on the RCB and federal government to either allocate sufficient land for public parking or construct modern parking plazas.
The traders have also proposed establishing parking facilities along the pedestrian stretch from Cantonment Police Station Road to Murree Road.
Qadri criticized RCB officials for allegedly ignoring the issue and urged the federal government to intervene. He said a traders’ delegation also plans to meet the cantonment executive officer and RCB president to discuss a solution that benefits traders, customers and the wider public.
