Karachi commissioner orders removal of illegal billboards

KARACHI: Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi has directed the city’s civic authorities to remove all illegal billboards installed across Karachi, according to decisions taken at a meeting held to review compliance with court orders on outdoor advertising structures.

The meeting was attended by all deputy commissioners through video link, Karachi Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Sajjad Abro, Regional Director Local Government Ramazan Pathan, senior officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, town municipal administrations and cantonment boards, as well as representatives of the Outdoor Advertising Trade Association and the Sindh Outdoor Advertisers Association.

Meeting reviews court orders

During the session, the assistant commissioner (revenue) briefed participants on directives issued by the Supreme Court and the High Court concerning billboards placed on public property. He also identified illegal billboards, banners, gantries and hoardings set up in different parts of the city and presented detailed information to the meeting.

The commissioner told the meeting that billboards, gantries and hoardings erected on public property were illegal. He directed the relevant departments to stop such installations and proceed against those responsible.

Departments told to ensure strict compliance

It was decided that deputy commissioners, the KMC, town municipal administrations and cantonment boards would ensure strict implementation of the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court regarding billboards, hoardings and other publicity material.

The meeting also decided that cases would be registered against the officers concerned as well as advertising agencies found violating the orders of the superior courts on billboards.

In addition to structures on public land, the participants agreed that unsafe billboards, banners, hoardings and gantries installed on private property were also illegal.

The decisions indicate that the administration intends to widen enforcement beyond public spaces and include hazardous advertising structures on privately owned sites as well. The meeting brought together officials from multiple administrative bodies and representatives of the advertising sector as the city administration moved to implement judicial directions on the issue.

The commissioner’s order covers illegal billboards across Karachi, with civic agencies and district authorities now tasked with carrying out the removal and taking action in line with the court directives discussed during the meeting.