KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has directed the provincial and local authorities to file within three weeks comprehensive reports regarding the current status of billboards in the provincial metropolis and steps taken to remove them.

It also ordered the secretary of the local government, all cantonment boards, municipal commissioner Karachi and Sindh Building Control Authority to ensure that no hazardous or unauthorised billboards remain in place to endanger public safety.

It noted that the Supreme Court had categorically ordered removal of illegal and hazardous billboards in the city in 2016 and the SHC had also reiterated such directions and enforcement of the same from time to time.

However, a two-judge constitutional bench of the SHC headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon deplored that despite the passage of considerable time and the binding nature of judgments, the respondents have failed to implement the same in letter and spirit.

It also observed that the court cannot remain a silent spectator as the lives and properties of citizens were at stake, particularly in view of climate change.

The bench further noted that the continued presence of such billboards, apparently installed without proper safety compliance, reflected disregard for judicial pronouncements and posed a serious threat to public safety.

A petition was filed last year by Pasban Democratic Party chairman Altaf Shakoor against hazardous billboards and signboards unlawfully installed across the city on high-rise buildings, poles and public spaces.

The bench in its order noted that as per the lawyer for the petitioner, such installations continued unchecked, primarily for commercial gain and despite past incidents where such hoardings collapsed and caused loss of life and damage to property.

The counsel also contended that the Supreme Court as well as the SHC have already issued clear directions time and again for the removal of unsafe and illegal billboards, but after initial compliance, respondents have failed to enforce such orders in letter and spirit, it added.

“Sufficient opportunities were granted to the respondents to file their comments and justify their position, however, they have shown reluctance and failed to assist this court leaving the assertions of the petitioner substantially unrebutted”, it added.

The bench further said, “Accordingly, this court is left with no option but to direct the chief executive officers of all cantonment boards, chief municipal commissioner Karachi division, the director general SBCA and secretary local government department, government of Sindh to submit a comprehensive report within a period of three weeks; detailing the current status of billboards installed within their respective jurisdictions; steps taken for removal of illegal and hazardous billboards in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court and future course of action to ensure strict enforcement of the said directions”.

While adjourning the hearing for a date to be fixed after three weeks, it also said, “The concerned authorities shall also ensure, in the meantime, that no hazardous or unauthorised billboards remain in place so as to endanger public safety”.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026