SHC seeks reports on action against political parties, private companies

The Sindh High Court on Monday directed the Election Commission of Pakistan, police and others to file reports regarding action against political parties and private companies for using public space for advertisement.

During the hearing of a petition against installation of billboards, signboards and banners on public properties, a division bench, headed by Justice Nadeem Akhtar, inquired the provincial law officer what action had been taken against violators using public space for purpose of advertisement.

The court had earlier ordered the registration of FIRs against the political parties’ heads and chief executive officers of companies whose banners and advertisements were found on any public property, as well as against candidates whose names, pictures or posters had been displayed on any public property.

The KMC counsel submitted that the corporation had let out several public spaces for advertisement under the relevant rules. The court observed that the Supreme Court had ordered making rules for advertisement purposes, which were not made yet and still public spaces were being let out for advertisement purposes.

Mayor Murtaza Wahab submitted that KMC laws permit the local government for letting out public space for advertisement purposes. He said pedestrian bridges were allowed for the purpose of advertisement so that private companies could protect the pedestrian bridges. He submitted that other towns were also allowing advertisers for using public spaces but they were not being held responsible for such violations.

The court observed that KMC did not file report with regard to contracts with private contractors on letting out public spaces for advertisement purposes.

The mayor said the KMC had informed the ECP about taking action against political parties for using public property for their election campaigns. The court directed the civic agencies and authorities to submit details of various contracts that have been purportedly executed by them in respect of billboards, banners and hoardings for advertisement. The court directed the ECP, KMC and others to submit reports with regard to action against the CEOs of companies whose products were being advertised on public properties as well as against heads of political parties whose banners and flags were found on any public property and to submit compliance report by February 6.

Dr Syed Raza Ali Gardezi filed the petition in the SHC for the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s order with regard to the removal of billboards from the public properties of the city.

He submitted that clear directions had been given by the Supreme Court not to permit billboards or hoardings on any public property as defined in the SC order, but despite such clear and authoritative orders, billboards and hoardings are now once again being seen throughout the city, which are being permitted by all government departments agencies, including, but not limited to, cantonment boards, KMC, commissioner and all the deputy commissioners of Karachi. The petitioner submitted that on pedestrian bridges, electricity poles and trees planted on public properties are prominently placed both advertisements of products and services as well as advertisements of political parties which are campaigning for the upcoming provincial and national elections. He said that it is a well-settled principle that a public property cannot be used for any personal, commercial and/or political purposes or gain.