The legislation includes financial measures such as microfinance, credit, insurance and emergency assistance.
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is set to formally regulate and protect the livelihood of street vendors, following the completion of a landmark bill, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi announced on Wednesday.
The Ehsaas Rehribaan (Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Bill 2025, once approved by the provincial cabinet and ratified by the Assembly, aims to bring over 140,000 street vendors under a legal framework that protects their rights, regulates vending spaces and integrates them into the formal economy.
Speaking at a press briefing, Chief Minister Afridi described the legislation as a historic step in recognizing and formalizing the contributions of street vendors, who play an important role in local commerce, food security and accessibility to affordable services. “This is more than just legislation; it is a declaration that in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, every individual, no matter how small, is protected by the rule of law,” he said.
The proposed law would prohibit illegal evictions, harassment, bribery or coercion by government officials, police or private individuals. Acts of intimidation or illegal demands by sellers will be treated as serious criminal offences, the Chief Minister confirmed.
One of the key elements of the law is the street vending certificate, which will serve as legal proof protecting daily incomes and ensuring that vendors are no longer subject to arbitrary or exploitative practices. In addition to legal safeguards, the bill provides financial inclusion measures such as microfinance, credit, insurance and emergency assistance, enabling sellers to stabilize their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Chief Minister Afridi highlighted the Bill’s commitment to due process, noting that no anti-encroachment action can be taken against registered vendors without prior notice, evidence-based justification and compliance with legal procedures. He added that vendor representation will be mandatory in all Tehsil sales committees, which will regulate sales areas, manage registration and resolve disputes, thereby ensuring that policy making is inclusive and transparent.
The initiative aligns with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of a just and welfare-oriented state, Afridi said, highlighting the government’s focus on protecting vulnerable citizens whose daily income is essential for survival. “By guaranteeing their income, we are restoring the self-respect and dignity of families who have long suffered in informal and precarious conditions,” he added.
Afridi also highlighted that the law is designed not only to protect incomes, but also to connect sellers to broader economic opportunities, enabling them to become self-reliant, responsible and legally recognized players in the provincial economy.
