KP Passes the Ehsaas Rehri Baan Livelihood Protection Bill 2026
On 17 August 2026, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed the Ehsaas Rehri Baan (Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Bill, 2026 (Bill No. 96), the first street-vendor law of its kind in Pakistan. Presented by Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam, the law gives legal protection to more than 140,000 street vendors across the province.
By contrast, the federal Ehsaas Rehri Baan was a much smaller and earlier initiative. In May 2021, the federal government launched a pilot in Islamabad under Ehsaas that gave prototype vending carts to 25 street vendors in its first phase, along with training and licenses. It never opened nationwide registration, and no federal Ehsaas Rehri Baan registration is open in 2026. Websites claiming that registration “starts” for a federal program are misleading readers.
Before the new law, street vendors worked without legal cover. As a result, vendors faced fines and forced eviction by municipal authorities, and many lost their carts and daily income with no alternative place to work.
Under the new law, registration is mandatory for street vendors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In addition, anyone aged 14 or above can register as a street vendor through the designated vending authority. Registered vendors receive a QR code-based digital vending certificate, valid for two years and renewable. The vending authority can only suspend or cancel a certificate for false information or violations of the prescribed conditions, and vendors keep the right to appeal.
The law also protects vendors against unjustified harassment and eviction. Authorities cannot evict a registered vendor without providing an alternative location, and they must give a minimum 15-day written notice before any eviction. As a result, registered vendors can operate in designated vending zones with legal security.
For the general Ehsaas program registration procedure, see our Ehsaas Programme New Registration 2026 guide.
Key Points of the New Law
The law introduces a complete legal framework covering registration, licensing, vending zones, rights, and appeals. The main points are:
- Mandatory registration for street vendors aged 14 and above through the designated vending authority.
- QR code-based digital vending certificate, valid for two years and renewable.
- Certificates can only be suspended or cancelled for false information or violations, with a right of appeal.
- Legal protection against unjustified harassment and eviction.
- No eviction without an alternative location and a minimum 15-day written notice.
- Vending without a certificate is a punishable offence.
- Selling or transferring a certificate can draw a fine of up to Rs 3,000.
- Repeated violations can lead to a fine of up to Rs 20,000, one month in jail, or both.
Beyond legal protection, the scale of street vending is significant. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has more than 140,000 street vendors whose combined annual business exceeds Rs 380 billion. They contribute around Rs 130 billion a year to the national economy. The government also expects extra revenue of Rs 2.5-5 billion a year from the regulated vending system.
Penalties Under the Law
To ensure compliance, the law sets out clear penalties so that both vendors and officials follow the rules.
Officials who harass registered vendors face departmental action. Harassment of vendors by shopkeepers or citizens can lead to a fine of up to Rs 20,000 or one month in jail.
- Operating without a vending certificate is a punishable offence.
- Selling or transferring a certificate can draw a fine of up to Rs 3,000.
- Repeated violations can lead to a fine of up to Rs 20,000, one month in jail, or both.
Some common questions about the new law are answered below:
- Is registration open for the Ehsaas Rehri Baan program in 2026? No. The federal program was only a small 2021 pilot in Islamabad. Under the KP law passed in August 2026, registration is mandatory for street vendors aged 14 and above through the designated vending authority.
- What is the digital vending certificate? It is a QR code-based certificate issued to registered vendors. It stays valid for two years and can be renewed.
- Can the authorities evict a registered vendor? Only after giving an alternative location and at least 15 days’ written notice.
- Where can registered vendors operate? In the designated vending zones notified by the authorities.
In short, the Ehsaas Rehri Baan Livelihood Protection Bill 2026 gives street vendors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa legal recognition, protection from eviction, and a proper licensing system for the first time. For more guides on Ehsaas and BISP programs, visit the 8171 BISP Information homepage.
Related: Ehsaas Rehri Baan Program 2026: KP Street Vendors Protection Act