Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Mayor, Commissioner, TMC Saddar and other parties on a petition challenging the installation of billboards and signboards at public places in District South.
The constitutional bench of the high court directed the concerned authorities to submit written replies by August 20 while hearing the petition related to advertisement structures across various areas of the city.
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During the proceedings, the court rejected a verbal request seeking an immediate restraining order against the installation of new billboards and hoardings.
The petitioner’s counsel argued before the court that advertisement boards were being installed rapidly at locations including Metropole, Shahrah-e-Faisal and other busy areas of Karachi.
According to the lawyer, public spaces such as footpaths and green belts are meant for the convenience of citizens and should not be used for commercial purposes.
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He argued that placing large advertisement structures at such locations was equivalent to encroachment.
The petitioner further told the court that the Supreme Court of Pakistan had already imposed restrictions on the installation of billboards and hoardings through an order issued in 2018.
The lawyer also argued that technical approval from the Traffic Engineering Bureau is mandatory before installing such structures.
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He maintained that large billboards and hoardings could pose risks to human life and public property during strong winds and severe weather conditions.
The petition has requested the court to declare permissions granted for billboard installations in Karachi’s South district as unlawful.
The case adds to ongoing concerns in Karachi regarding urban encroachments, traffic visibility, and public safety linked to commercial advertising structures installed on roadsides and public spaces.
