KARACHI, Feb 15: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Wednesday expressed extreme concern over injuries caused to citizens by a falling billboard on Rashid Minhas Road in Gulistan-i-Jauhar on Tuesday.

The PMA said it was not the first time when illegal, unethical and aesthetically bad looking billboard had caused injuries and damage to property.

“It seems that Karachi is under siege by companies owning these billboards. These companies are working in collaboration with high officials of the cantonment boards and the city government.”

The PMA said these companies were not following any rules and regulations and ethical standards in erecting these billboards all over the city.

Mega cities like Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and many other cities in Europe and the USA have strict rules regarding this kind of advertisement and distance between boards, it said.

“The billboards are only allowed in commercial districts and places where it should not cause hindrance to traffic, distraction to drivers and obstruction of skyline.”

In Karachi, boards are not only causing visual pollution but also causing health hazards to people living in apartments, who are deprived of sunlight and fresh air because of these boards, it said.

The worst examples can be seen at Allah Walla Chowrangi, Hassan Square and Sharea Faisal, where illegal boards are erected without any respect to people and nature.

The PMA strongly supported the city nazim’s action against billboards all over the city.

It also demanded strict action against billboards owners, advertising agencies, product owners and officers involved in this big racket who were exploiting and risking the lives of citizens.

The PMA appealed to the city nazim for making Karachi a billboard-free city with its natural skyline.—PPI