Hayatabad Vendors’ Plight

Habibul Hassan Yad

Peshawar: The responsibility for advancing societal progress rests heavily on the shoulders of educated, influential members of the community, including government officials.

A nation’s level of development is often reflected in the condition of its cities, the quality of its civic infrastructure, and the overall standard of living in its urban spaces.

In developed countries, cities are typically peaceful, organized, and vibrant, with thriving commerce and well-regulated public life.

Having lived in major cities both within my home country and abroad—such as New Delhi, Oslo, and Stockholm—I have gained valuable insights into urban planning, governance, and community well-being.

These cities, with their exemplary urban development and effective management, contrast sharply with the challenges I have observed in my own city, Peshawar.

In this article, I focus on Hayatabad, a newly developed and aesthetically pleasing township on the outskirts of Peshawar.

Hayatabad stands out as one of the most well-planned and organized areas in the country. With its green parks, civic centers, sports complexes, and lively markets, it is designed to enhance the quality of life for its residents.

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The Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) plays an essential role in maintaining the area’s infrastructure, cleanliness, and overall order.

Despite these efforts, several challenges persist. One evening, I spent several hours in the bustling markets of Hayatabad during peak hours, when people gather to purchase daily necessities. Among the crowd, many women and children could be seen. 

An unsettling situation quickly unfolded when food vendors, selling items such as pakoras, French fries, kebabs, and other fast foods, began hurriedly moving their stalls and boiling oil vats to hidden spots as the PDA’s vigilance team, accompanied by police officers, arrived for an unannounced raid. The vendors, alarmed by the unexpected intervention, resisted.

Chaos ensued as people scrambled to protect their goods. Some children and women were knocked over in the confusion. The PDA team, consisting of around 12-15 workers and armed police, seized the vendors’ goods and loaded them into vehicles.

After about half an hour, the scene settled when the PDA team left the area with their confiscated items.

This troubling incident reveals several underlying issues facing the city. The rapid population growth, coupled with limited resources and widespread unemployment, has led many people from surrounding areas to migrate to Peshawar in search of work or to start small businesses.

As a result, the number of street vendors and makeshift stalls has grown, contributing to the encroachment of public spaces, streets, and alleys. Despite legal restrictions on the use of loudspeakers, many vendors continue to disregard this law, further exacerbating the situation.

While the PDA’s actions are intended to maintain order and regulate public space, they often provoke resistance and create more tension than solutions. This highlights the need for a more thoughtful, strategic approach to managing the challenges of street vending and public order in Hayatabad and other parts of Peshawar.

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Instead of deploying large teams for abrupt crackdowns, a more sustainable and humane approach is needed. The PDA should review its policies to create clear, well-communicated guidelines for street vendors, focusing on preserving public spaces without causing undue harm to vendors’ livelihoods.

A more effective solution could include on-the-spot fines for violations, along with a modest police presence in each market to deter illegal practices while allowing vendors the opportunity to earn a living in an orderly manner.

The ultimate goal should be to create an environment of calm and order in the marketplace, where both vendors and residents can coexist peacefully.

By implementing thoughtful regulations, ensuring fair enforcement, and improving economic opportunities for residents, the PDA can enhance the livability of Hayatabad and contribute to the development of a more sustainable, prosperous, and harmonious community.

The key is to strike a balance—enforcing the law while considering the livelihoods and aspirations of the people. Only then can Peshawar truly progress as a model of urban development in Pakistan.

In conclusion, while the Peshawar Development Authority plays a vital role in the city’s urban planning and civic upkeep, its approach to enforcing policies—particularly regarding street vendors and market operations—requires reevaluation.

The growing population, rising unemployment, and resource scarcity are fueling the encroachment on public spaces, which in turn leads to conflict and disorder.

A more balanced and considerate approach, one that prioritizes clear communication, fair enforcement, and opportunities for economic empowerment, could ensure that Peshawar not only preserves its aesthetic appeal but also fosters a thriving, harmonious environment for its citizens.

Through such sustainable measures, Peshawar can truly become a shining example of urban development and civic order, setting a standard for the rest of the country.

Habibul Hassan Yad is a multifaceted individual, known for his roles as a writer, human rights activist, life coach, and public speaker.

All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.