Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has introduced a comprehensive new bill aimed at protecting the rights of approximately 140,000 street vendors across the province. The legislation is designed to prevent illegal displacement of vendors, ensuring that they can continue their businesses without the threat of eviction. By providing legal safeguards, the law formalizes the position of street vendors, integrating them into the province’s formal economy and recognizing their contribution to local commerce.
Under the new framework, vendors will gain access to credit facilities and financial support programs, enabling them to expand their businesses, invest in better infrastructure, and improve the quality of their products and services. The initiative is expected to stimulate entrepreneurship among street vendors, allowing them to operate with security and dignity. By supporting these small businesses, the bill aims to strengthen the Rs. 380 billion street economy, which plays a crucial role in local trade, employment, and economic growth.
Overall, this legislation represents a significant step toward economic inclusivity, offering street vendors sustainable opportunities, financial empowerment, and legal recognition, while contributing to the broader development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s urban and semi-urban markets.
