KARACHI: While the city authorities have promised to make Karachi clean and green, ugly wall chalking all across the metropolis has left a big question mark on their claims as well as on efforts of civic bodies that have failed to take action against those using public and private properties for promotion of their businesses.

Different spots like Baloch Colony flyover, Gharibabad underpass, Nipa flyover and bus stops, Jauhar Mor flyover, University Road, and many others are being used for the promotion of businesses, rallies of political parties, and numerous other things that should not be permitted to be displayed on the public or private properties.

The Prevention of Defacement of Property Act 2014 regulates wall chalking activity and stops anyone from promoting anything to attract the public. The responsibility to ensure the implementation of the said law falls under the erstwhile district municipal corporations (DMCs) and now the town municipal corporations (TMCs), but to this day many old and newly renovated public properties have been ruined by chalking.

Recently under-construction government projects like the Red Line BRT on University Road and Johar Chowrangi flyover have also met the same fate already, whereas the relevant departments are nowhere to be seen.

Private and public properties being ruined, authorities complain lack of resources to take action

A senior municipal official told Dawn that the advertising departments were working with full force and trying to keep the walls clean. As soon as they encounter any wall with some chalking on it, they get it removed or paint it over, he said.

“We try to keep the city clean, and usually chalking takes place late at night as chances are less to be seen during that time,” he said.

Regarding the political promotion of different parties on public properties, he said that municipal administration’s work was hindered because of influence. On various days observed by political and religious parties, they hold back until the occasion is over, and then clean up the mess made in the form of posters, flags, banners, etc.

“We cannot do much due to the pressure over us. We just clean up the mess made by them as we would face problems later if we stop their promotion of any sort,” he said, adding that on many occasions when they tried to remove posters and chalking of this sort, they were questioned by people with influence or pointed out for not taking any action against their political rivals.

While Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has issued directives to remove “torn” party flags and banners from light poles on major thoroughfares, there’s no word about removal of wall chalking, especially by political parties.

On July 16, he posted a video of municipal workers removing and collecting flags of political parties and tweeted: “Main roads are being cleared of torn party flags & commercial banners which are placed on street light poles. Video is of Shaheed e Millat Road which is being cleared now. Shahrah e Faisal & Clifton road have already been cleared.”

The city has seen a surge in wall chalking soon after the high court imposed a ban on billboards and hoardings on public spaces, which were being handled by the advertising department, according to the senior municipal official.

“With no cheap way to advertise in the city, people are resorting to illegal ways to promote their message,” he said, adding: “If the decision was taken, there should’ve been some thought about the further problems that could be faced in the future. Not only the problems increased, but a way to generate revenue was stopped too.”

The official said that work was often slowed down due to the limited supply of workforce and funds. Keeping an eye on every single public property in a densely populated city with limited supplies is just impossible, he said.

Further informing on the matter, he said many of the culprits of wall chalking had been caught and had paid the fine under the law, but in the present situation, the efforts of DMC were hardly making a dent in the matter.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2023