Karachi Plans London-Inspired Pedestrian-Only Roads, Says Mayor Murtaza Wahab

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has unveiled plans to designate selected roads in the city as pedestrian-only zones, drawing inspiration from London's recent decision to restrict vehicle access on parts of Oxford Street. The announcement signals a possible shift in how the metropolis approaches urban mobility and public space.

According to the mayor, London's mayor designated a roughly one-kilometre stretch of Oxford Street exclusively for pedestrians, a move that has drawn widespread appreciation. Wahab pointed to the initiative as an example of how major cities are rethinking the balance between vehicles and foot traffic in busy commercial districts.

The announcement follows London's permanent closure of a section of its famous shopping street to traffic on Monday, October 26. The change allows pedestrians to use space previously occupied by vehicles, including the city's iconic red double-decker buses and black cabs. Around half of Oxford Street has been pedestrianised in the first phase, with plans to extend restrictions to remaining sections depending on how the initiative performs.

Wahab also stressed the role of political cooperation, noting that parties in London did not create legal hurdles to the decision. He suggested that similar consensus would be important for implementing comparable projects in Karachi, where urban planning proposals often become entangled in political disputes.

The proposal comes as Karachi continues to grapple with traffic congestion, limited pedestrian infrastructure and air quality concerns linked to vehicle emissions. Pedestrian-only zones, if implemented, could offer safer walking spaces and reduce crowding in high-traffic commercial areas, though details on which roads would be affected and the project timeline have not yet been disclosed.

Observers note that success would depend on careful traffic management, alternative routes for motorists and public consultation with affected traders and residents. For now, the mayor's announcement has placed Karachi's urban planning ambitions alongside those of major global cities, with the Oxford Street model serving as the stated benchmark.