LAHORE, June 19: The Parks and Horticulture Authority will remove all the hoardings for which structural stability certificates from its enlisted engineers are not provided by Aug 14.

PHA Director-General Shabbir Ahmed has stated this in a letter sent to all the stakeholders, informing them that the production of the certificate will, henceforth, be required every year by the deadline prescribed for the payment of rent.

The stakeholders have also been informed that only the advertisers registered and notified by the authority will be allowed to install the hoardings in the provincial metropolis in future on furnishing the stability certificates issued by any of its six enlisted engineers after examination of the design.

The engineers will also examine the hoarding after the installation and certify its strength to withstand the pressure of severe wind and jolts of earthquake. They will also check the painting of the hoarding and loose wires.

The director-general has said that the furnishing of the certificate is only an additional measure for ensuring safety and public property and, in no way, absolves the advertisers of the responsibility of the structural stability of the hoardings.

They will also indemnify the PHA against any responsibility for any liability accruing from the collapse of a publicity board or any other consequences.

He said the authority had exempted 18'X 20' boards installed on the ground from the certificates. The production of certificates would be compulsory for all larger boards and sky signs, he said.

Mr Ahmed added that the structural engineers would be entitled to receive a fee of Rs2,000 for 10'X 20' boards, Rs6 per square foot for boards measuring up to 200 square feet and Rs5 for larger ones.

The stakeholders have further been informed that the PHA have initiated the process of formulation of an outdoor advertisement policy based on the considerations of environment, traffic and safety of public life and property under a directive of the Punjab chief minister.