FCC reprimands Parks & Horticulture Authority over billboards

The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Wednesday expressed its strong displeasure with the Parks and Horticulture Authority over the installation of billboards, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

During the hearing of a petition, seeking permission for the installation of billboards, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi remarked that billboards were dangerous. “Don’t put people’s lives and properties in danger for the sake of collecting fees,” he said and asked whether the Authority would stoop so low for money.

A two-member bench of the FCC, headed by Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, heard the case.

He questioned, “Who will be responsible for the losses caused by the billboards falling due to windstorms? Is the Authority ready to take responsibility for that?”

The court also raised questions over the mechanism devised for the installation of billboards.

He also asked whether the Authority also checked the construction standard of the site.

Justice Rizvi said that the Supreme Court (SC) had already placed a ban on billboards.

The Authority’s lawyer, on the occasion, said that he needed time to go through the court verdicts.

Justice Rizvi replied that the time was granted.

The judge also made it clear to him that if ever in future he gave arguments in favour of billboards, the court would reject the appeal along with fine.

The court then adjourned the case’s hearing for an indefinite time period.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori