Karachi authorities have launched a fresh citywide operation against illegal billboards and hoardings, warning advertising agencies and officials who issued unauthorised permits that they could face criminal proceedings for violating the law.
The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi at his office. Officials reviewed the findings of a recent citywide survey, which identified 224 illegal billboards across four districts.
Central District reported the highest number of violations, with 81 illegal billboards, followed by East District with 80, South District with 47 and West District with 16.
The latest survey showed a sharp increase compared with an earlier survey conducted this year, which had identified 55 billboards for removal. Of these, 20 each were located in South and East districts, nine in Central and six in Korangi.
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Assistant Commissioner General Waqas Abbasi told the meeting that the latest survey was carried out to identify violations, ensure compliance with existing laws and develop measures to prevent the unauthorised installation of advertising structures.
During the meeting, Commissioner Naqvi examined photographs of the identified violations and directed that billboards with minor defects could remain in place only after the necessary corrections had been made.
He instructed Town Municipal Corporations (TMCs), the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), cantonment boards, development authorities and advertising agencies to strictly comply with the rules governing the installation of billboards.
The commissioner warned that FIRs would be registered under the Sindh Public Property (Removal of Encroachment) Act against chief executive officers of advertising agencies found responsible for violations, as well as officials who had issued permits in violation of the law.
Authorities were directed to remove all illegal billboards from South and East districts without delay.
Officials clarified that billboards and hoardings are not allowed on public property, including roads, footpaths, road medians, green belts, dividers, roundabouts, pedestrian walkways, drains and their banks. The ban also covers electronic billboards and ground-level advertising structures, while pedestrian bridges are excluded from the list of prohibited locations.
The meeting also agreed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards dangerous structures and illegal installations on both public and private property.
Officials reviewed progress on the formation of vigilance committees comprising qualified and prominent architectural engineers at the KMC and all 25 TMCs. Notifications had been received from 14 TMCs, while the remaining 11 were directed to complete the process without further delay.
Deputy commissioners of East, South, West and Central districts also briefed the meeting on the enforcement measures being taken in their respective areas.