The legislation covers financial measures such as microfinance, credit, insurance and relief
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will formally regulate and protect the livelihood of street vendors following the finalization of a landmark draft law, 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 incorporate more than 140,000 street vendors into a legal framework that protects their rights, regulates sales premises and integrates them into the formal economy.
Speaking at a press briefing, Prime Minister Afridi described the legislation as a historic step in recognizing and formalizing the contributions of street vendors, who play a significant role in local trade, food security and accessibility to affordable services. “This is more than legislation; it is a declaration that in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa every individual, no matter how small their trade, is protected by the rule of law,” he said.
The proposed law would prohibit illegal eviction, harassment, bribery or coercion by government officials, police or private individuals. Acts of intimidation or illegal demands from sellers will be treated as serious criminal offences, confirmed the Prime Minister.
One of the key features of the law is the Street Vending Certificate, which will serve as legal proof that protects daily earnings and ensures that vendors are no longer subject to arbitrary or exploitative practices. In addition to legal safeguards, the bill allows for financial inclusion, such as microfinance, credit, insurance and emergency support, enabling vendors to stabilize their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Chief Minister Afridi emphasized the bill’s commitment to due process and noted 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 Selection Committees, which will regulate vending zones, handle registration and resolve disputes, ensuring that policy-making is inclusive and transparent.
The initiative is in line 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 earnings are essential for survival. “By securing their earnings, we are restoring self-respect and dignity to families who have long suffered in informal and precarious conditions,” he added.
Afridi also emphasized that the law is not only designed to protect incomes, but also to connect vendors to broader economic opportunities, enabling them to become empowered, accountable and legally recognized participants in the province’s economy.
