Street vendors’ registration, vending certificates made mandatory

PESHAWAR, August 17: The KP assembly has enacted the Street Vendors Protection Bill 2026 through which protection will be provided to more than 140,000 street vendors of the province, reported ARY News.

According to the provisions of the bill, anyone aged 14 years and above can register himself as a street vendor. Registration along with a vending certificate shall be mandatory for every street vendor.

Digital vending certificates having QR code will be issued to the registered vendors and the vending certificates may be suspended or cancelled if anyone provides false information or violates the conditions. There is provision for appeal against the suspension or cancellation of the vending certificates.

Legal protection will be provided to the registered street vendors against any unjust harassment or eviction.

It is mentioned in the bill that selling or transferring of the vending certificate will be considered as offense liable for a fine of up to 3,000 rupees. Action will be taken for any encroachment, violating cleanliness conditions and sale of prohibited items.

In the event of harassment by the government official of the vendor, departmental action will be initiated against such officials. If shopkeepers or citizens harass any vendor, they may be liable for a fine of 20,000 rupees or one month imprisonment.

It has been stated in the bill that there are more than 140,000 street vendors who conduct business worth more than 380 billion rupees per annum. Street vending sector contributes around 130 billion rupees to the national economy on yearly basis. In addition, annual generation of revenue may reach up to 2.5 to 5 billion rupees through effective regulation.

This will be the first ever comprehensive legal framework for vendors for local governments.