KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the immediate removal of illegal wall chalking, posters, banners and other unauthorized public advertisements throughout the province, emphasizing that poor enforcement of anti-defacement laws violates citizens’ right to a clean and organized environment.
Hearing a petition on public defacement, the court directed the Sindh Chief Secretary to submit a report on the formation of an Anti-Defacement Task Force and instructed all local government authorities to clear illegal banners, posters and wall chalking from public places without delay.
During the proceedings, petitioner’s counsel Tariq Mansoor Advocate told the court that the Sindh Prohibition of Expressing Matters on Walls Act, enforced since 2013, already provides legal action against violators.
He informed the bench that offenders can face up to six months in prison or a fine of Rs5,000, while continued violations may result in an additional Rs1,000 daily fine. He also clarified that property owners are legally allowed to display signboards for their own businesses on their premises.
The provincial government’s lawyer was unable to present the chief secretary’s report during the hearing. On the government’s request, the SHC adjourned the matter for two weeks.
