Clear all public properties of hoardings in 15 days, rules SHC

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed the Karachi commissioner and the cantonment boards to ensure the removal of hoardings from all public properties in the city within 15 days.

The direction came on a petition against the putting up of hoardings at public places across the city despite the clear ban and restraining order issued by the Supreme Court.

Issuing the interim order, an SHC division bench headed by Justice Nadeem Akhtar directed the city commissioner, the deputy commissioners and the cantonment boards’ executive officers to submit details of the contracts purportedly executed by them in respect of hoardings on public properties.

The court directed the provincial police chief to ensure that no hoarding, banner, poster or other advertisement, including but not limited to political advertisements, is seen on any pedestrian bridge, electric pole, tree or any other public property in the city.

The court also directed the police chief to issue directions to the SHO of each area to register an FIR against any person found responsible for putting up such hoardings, and submit compliance reports by January 18.

Dr Syed Raza Ali Gardezi has filed a petition with the SHC for the enforcement of the SC’s order with regard to the removal of hoardings from public properties in the city.

The petitioner said that clear directions have been given by the SC against permitting hoardings on public properties as defined in its order, but despite such clear and authoritative orders, hoardings are again being seen throughout the city.

He said the hoardings are being permitted by all government departments and agencies, including but not limited to the cantonment boards, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the city commissioner and the DCs.

He also said hoardings put up on pedestrian bridges, electric poles and trees planted on public properties show advertisements of products and services as well as of political parties campaigning for next year’s general elections.

The petitioner said that it is a well-settled principle that a public property cannot be used for any personal, commercial and/or political purpose or gain.

The bench said that prima facie, it is evident that various government departments and land-owning agencies are once again permitting commercial hoardings, and political banners and advertisements on public properties despite the clear prohibition by the SC.

The SHC said that the SC’s order has been violated by government departments and agencies, by those whose products are being advertised on public properties, by their advertising companies and agencies, and by political parties.

The high court bench issued notices to the attorney general of Pakistan, the Sindh advocate general as well as other respondents to file their comments.

As interim measures, the SHC ordered the commissioner, the DCs, the cantonment boards and others to remove hoardings from all public properties within 15 days, and sought the details of the contracts as regards putting up hoardings on public properties.

The court directed the police chief to ensure that no hoarding, banner, poster or other advertisement exists on any public property, to order every SHO to register FIRs against those found responsible and to submit compliance reports by January 18.