02 October 2004	Saturday	16 Shaban 1425

LAHORE, Oct 1: The Parks and Horticulture Authority has prepared a draft policy on billboards which is likely to be submitted for the approval of the provincial cabinet next week.

The policy was drafted on a directive issued by the chief minister after the death of a rickshaw driver as a result of collapse of a billboard near the Ganga Ram Hospital during a windstorm a couple of months ago.

The need for a policy was also felt in view of emergence of the billboards as a flourishing business on account of rapid increase in the demand for outdoor advertising in all big cities and towns.

The policy prescribing guidelines for the installation of billboards has been formulated by the consultants appointed by the PHA for the purpose. It proposes registration of the advertisers for installation of billboards after verification of their capacity for undertaking the task.

The policy not only calls for measures for ensuring that the billboards are strong enough to withstand windstorms. The PHA has already arranged inspection and certification of over 1,200 billboards installed in the city for structural safety. Advertisers have also been made responsible for payment of compensation to the victims in case of the collapse of any of their billboards.

The policy also proposes disallowing installation of billboards near the high tension electricity lines. It has been proposed to examine the materials and impact of installation of billboards at a particular place aesthetically. Hoardings should not be allowed at places where they affect the beauty of landscape adversely.

HOSPITALS: UK-based Pakistan Foundation will establish a hospital in Toba Tek Singh at a cost of Rs50 million followed by the establishment of a number of small and medium hospitals in rural areas of the country.

British Parliamentarian Mohammad Sarwar said this while talking to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry office-bearers here on Friday. He said the foundation would make Rs10 million available for the Toba hospital every year.

LCCI President Misbahur Rehman said the chamber would extend all possible cooperation to the Pakistan Foundation in its efforts for improvement of healthcare infrastructure in Pakistan. He said the LCCI would soon send a delegation to the UK for increasing liaison with the business community there.