SHC seeks compliance report on action against illegal billboards

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has ordered provincial and local authorities to submit detailed reports within three weeks on the present status of billboards across Karachi and the measures taken to remove illegal and dangerous structures.

The direction came in proceedings on a petition filed last year by Pasban Democratic Party chairman Altaf Shakoor against hazardous billboards and signboards allegedly installed unlawfully on high-rise buildings, poles and public spaces in the city.

A two-judge constitutional bench headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon also instructed the secretary of the local government department, all cantonment boards, the municipal commissioner Karachi and the Sindh Building Control Authority to make sure that no hazardous or unauthorised billboards remain in place in a way that could threaten public safety.

In its order, the bench observed that the Supreme Court had clearly directed in 2016 that illegal and hazardous billboards in Karachi be removed. The SHC had also repeated such directions and called for their enforcement on different occasions.

However, the court said that despite the passage of considerable time and despite the binding nature of those judgments, the respondents had not implemented them in letter and spirit. The bench said the court could not remain a silent spectator when the lives and property of citizens were at risk, particularly in view of climate change.

The order further noted that the continued presence of such billboards, apparently installed without proper safety compliance, showed disregard for judicial pronouncements and posed a serious danger to the public.

Petitioner’s arguments noted by court

The bench recorded that, according to the petitioner’s lawyer, such installations were continuing unchecked, mainly for commercial benefit, despite previous incidents in which hoardings had collapsed and caused deaths as well as property damage.

The counsel also argued that both the Supreme Court and the SHC had repeatedly issued clear directions for the removal of unsafe and illegal billboards, but after initial compliance, the respondents failed to enforce those orders in letter and spirit.

“Sufficient opportunities were granted to the respondents to file their comments and justify their position, however, they have shown reluctance and failed to assist this court leaving the assertions of the petitioner substantially unrebutted”, the order said.

Court seeks comprehensive compliance details

The SHC said it was therefore left with no option but to direct the chief executive officers of all cantonment boards, the chief municipal commissioner Karachi division, the director general of the SBCA and the secretary of the local government department, government of Sindh, to file a comprehensive report within three weeks. “Accordingly, this court is left with no option but to direct the chief executive officers of all cantonment boards, chief municipal commissioner Karachi division, the director general SBCA and secretary local government department, government of Sindh to submit a comprehensive report within a period of three weeks; detailing the current status of billboards installed within their respective jurisdictions; steps taken for removal of illegal and hazardous billboards in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court and future course of action to ensure strict enforcement of the said directions”.

The hearing was adjourned to a date to be fixed after three weeks. “The concerned authorities shall also ensure, in the meantime, that no hazardous or unauthorised billboards remain in place so as to endanger public safety,” the court added.

With these directions, the court sought updated compliance from all relevant authorities responsible for billboard regulation and enforcement in Karachi.