Illegal promotional boards removed from greenbelts

LAHORE : Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) removed several illegal direction and promotional boards from greenbelts in various localities of the city here on Thursday.

The PHA spokesperson said several illegal boards, installed by private housing societies, residences, and educational institutions, were demolished in Johar Town, Canal Road, Faisal Town, Allama Iqbal Town, and Raiwind Road. Commenting on the development, Director General M Tahir Wattoo emphasised that illegal advertisement boards will not be tolerated and will be removed at any cost. “Such billboards pose a threat to human lives and detract from the city's beauty,” he said. Wattoo also indicated that actions against violators will continue in the coming days.

PHA was also working on digitising how it generates revenue, Wattoo said adding the focus will be on the marketing and coordination departments, which managed outdoor ads, food courts, and amusement items. These areas make up most of the department’s income.

The current database will be published on secure servers and will be accessible to advertisers, vendors, and the department, he announced. Separately, the PHA was planting hundreds of thousands of trees across Lahore, focusing on the city’s outskirts, in a bid to increase its green cover. This initiative will also help curtail the smog that was prevalent in Lahore, Wattoo concluded.