Sindh Province

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Commissioner Karachi Syed Hasan Naqvi has directed the authorities concerned to remove all illegal billboards, banners, hoardings and gantries installed on public property across the city, in line with the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by the commissioner in Karachi, attended by all deputy commissioners through video link, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Sajjad Abro, Regional Director Local Government Ramazan Pathan, senior officers of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Town Municipal Administrations and Cantonment Boards. Representatives of the Outdoor Advertising Trade Association and Sindh Outdoor Advertisers Association also attended the meeting.
During the briefing, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Sajjad Abro informed the meeting about the superior courts’ orders regarding billboards installed on public properties. He also presented details of illegal billboards, banners, gantries and hoardings identified in different parts of the city.
Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi made it clear that billboards, gantries and hoardings installed on public properties are illegal and must be removed without delay. He directed all relevant departments to stop such violations and take action against those responsible.
The meeting decided that deputy commissioners, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Town Municipal Administrations and Cantonment Boards will ensure strict implementation of the Supreme Court and High Court orders regarding illegal publicity material. It was also decided that cases will be registered against concerned officers and advertising agencies found violating court orders.
The meeting further agreed that unsafe billboards, banners, hoardings and gantries installed on private properties will also be treated as illegal if they pose a risk to public safety.
To address the issue, vigilance committees will be formed in all towns and relevant departments. These committees will include technical experts and reputable architects who will inspect billboards and hoardings to determine whether they meet safety standards.
The commissioner directed that all unsafe billboards and hoardings must be removed before the monsoon season to prevent accidents during rain, strong winds or storms.
Syed Hasan Naqvi also expressed concern over the existing testing standards for billboards, calling them unsatisfactory. He said these standards need to be reviewed and improved to ensure public safety.
He warned that if any accident occurs during the monsoon due to an unsafe billboard, the concerned municipal commissioner or responsible officer will be held accountable. Legal action will be taken, and cases will be registered against those found responsible.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Karachi is set to witness a major addition to its skyline as DHA City Karachi and ABS Developers have finalized an agreement for the development of Burj Quaid, an 82 storey high rise project planned within DHA City.
According to project details, Burj Quaid is expected to rise 941 feet above the ground, which would make it the tallest building in Pakistan once completed. The project will spread over nearly six acres and is expected to be completed within six years.
Officials associated with the development believe the project has the potential to strengthen Karachi’s commercial landscape, attract local and foreign investment, and support the growth of modern urban infrastructure in the city. The tower is being viewed as a landmark project that could further establish Karachi as a major centre for high rise and mixed use development in Pakistan.
The announcement comes at a time when interest in vertical development is increasing across major Pakistani cities, particularly Karachi and Islamabad, where land pressure and expanding commercial needs are pushing developers and public institutions toward high rise projects.
Earlier, the Pakistan Airport Authority revealed plans to construct what could become Islamabad’s tallest building in Blue Area. The authority intends to develop a multi storey aviation and commercial complex on its 9,000 square yard plot.
According to documents submitted to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, the proposed Aviation Complex will include airline headquarters, Pakistan Airport Authority offices, conference facilities, banks, food courts, hotel accommodation, an aviation museum, fitness and recreational facilities, and an art gallery.
Islamabad is already home to several prominent high rise projects. These include the under construction Garden Residential Apartment Project in F 10 Markaz, which is expected to stand 470 feet tall with 42 storeys. Other major towers in the capital include The Centaurus and One Constitution Avenue.
The planned Burj Quaid project, however, is expected to place Karachi at the forefront of Pakistan’s high rise development trend, marking a significant milestone in the country’s evolving real estate and urban infrastructure sector.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has directed all relevant civic and administrative authorities to accelerate coordinated anti-encroachment operations across the city, with a focus on clearing government land, improving traffic movement, and preventing further illegal occupation of public spaces.
The directives were issued during a review meeting on Thursday, where the commissioner instructed Deputy Commissioners, Town Municipal Administrations, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the Anti Encroachment Department, police, traffic police, and other concerned agencies to work jointly against encroachments in different parts of Karachi.
According to an official statement, Commissioner Naqvi emphasized that encroachments on government land and public roads not only violate the law but also create serious traffic problems for citizens. He ordered authorities to remove existing illegal structures and roadside setups while ensuring that cleared areas are not occupied again.
He further directed officials to take legal action against those involved in encroachments and to strictly enforce relevant laws against repeated violations. Deputy commissioners from various districts also presented progress reports on ongoing anti encroachment operations during the meeting.
As part of the continuing campaign, Assistant Commissioner Shah Faisal Colony Abdul Sami carried out an operation at Badal Goth near Shahrah e Bhutto, where four illegally constructed houses were demolished. The operation was conducted jointly by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Anti-Encroachment Department, local police, traffic police, and operational staff from K-Electric to ensure smooth execution and avoid traffic disruption.
In District Korangi, Assistant Commissioner Model Colony Nade Ali led another operation from Malir Halt to Kala Board on the National Highway. With the support of municipal officials and police, authorities removed more than 15 fruit carts, juice stalls, and other roadside setups that were obstructing traffic flow.
Officials also warned encroachers that strict action would be taken in case of future violations, including fines and possible arrests.
Commissioner Karachi reiterated that anti-encroachment operations would continue across the city as part of a broader effort to protect government land, improve urban management, and ensure smoother movement of traffic for the public.