Almost every thoroughfare, especially busy intersections, have turned into a jungle of huge hoardings and neon signboards, creating traffic hazard and posing a serious threat to the lives of commuters and pedestrians. <br />
<br />
The threat has become imminent these days in the face of monsoon rains because past experience shows such roadside signboards are often knocked down by strong winds or heavy rains, causing widespread damage, sometime loss of life also.<br />
<br />
I was just going through (by chance) the REGISTRATION FORM (ADVERTISEMENT) LOCAL TAXES DEPARTMENT CITY DISTRICT GOVERNMNET KARACHI and found some interesting clauses/terms & conditions;<br />
<br />
1. The installation of the signboard shall be done by the applicant as per specification approved the Local Taxes Department, CDGK regarding height, design and direction on approved location only in a manner approved by the Local Taxes Department, CDGK.<br />
2. The maintenance and upkeep of the signboard shall be the responsibility of the applicant. In case the signboard is not maintained properly a notice shall be served to the applicant to do the needful. If the same is not carried out within the period specified in the notice, the approval shall automatically stand cancelled and the signboard shall be removed and forfeited by Local Taxes Department, CDGK at the expense of the applicant. No refund of fee for the remaining period, if any, shall be made.<br />
3. All publicity boards shall be installed under the supervision of a Certified and KBCA registered Structure Engineer, who shall furnish structure stability certificate on the prescribed format after the installation of the board. Such a structure stability certificate shall be furnished annually by the advertiser by the 30th day of July failing which the lease shall stand cancelled automatically and the Local Taxes Department; CDGK shall be authorized to remove the board without any notice at the cost of the advertiser. <br />
<br />
And finally have a look at the Affidavit;<br />
<br />
<b><u>AFFIDAVIT</u></b><br />
<br />
I ____________________________ S/o / D/o / W/o __________________________________ on behalf of my Company __________________________________ do hereby affirm that we have carefully read the terms & conditions of registration for Advertising with the Local Taxes Department, CDGK Department, CDGK and affirm that we shall unconditionally abide by the terms & condition for registration. In case we do not abide by any of the said terms & conditions, the Local Taxes Department, CDGK Department, CDGK shall be authorized to cancel our registration with obvious consequences. In particular, we affirm that we shall not default payment of rent and in no case shall we delay payment of the rent of sites, allowed to us for publicity boards, <u><font color="Red">we shall not compromise on the strength of structures,</font></u> which is so vital to the safety of human life and property. Also in case of dispute with Local Taxes Department, we agree to referral of cases to City Nazim for dispute resolution.<br />
<br />
My question:<br />
<br />
1. Is this really happening in Pakistan? or it is just on papers?<br />
2. Do you think any engineering is being practised in Pakistan for desiging these sign boards?
<br />
The threat has become imminent these days in the face of monsoon rains because past experience shows such roadside signboards are often knocked down by strong winds or heavy rains, causing widespread damage, sometime loss of life also.<br />
<br />
I was just going through (by chance) the REGISTRATION FORM (ADVERTISEMENT) LOCAL TAXES DEPARTMENT CITY DISTRICT GOVERNMNET KARACHI and found some interesting clauses/terms & conditions;<br />
<br />
1. The installation of the signboard shall be done by the applicant as per specification approved the Local Taxes Department, CDGK regarding height, design and direction on approved location only in a manner approved by the Local Taxes Department, CDGK.<br />
2. The maintenance and upkeep of the signboard shall be the responsibility of the applicant. In case the signboard is not maintained properly a notice shall be served to the applicant to do the needful. If the same is not carried out within the period specified in the notice, the approval shall automatically stand cancelled and the signboard shall be removed and forfeited by Local Taxes Department, CDGK at the expense of the applicant. No refund of fee for the remaining period, if any, shall be made.<br />
3. All publicity boards shall be installed under the supervision of a Certified and KBCA registered Structure Engineer, who shall furnish structure stability certificate on the prescribed format after the installation of the board. Such a structure stability certificate shall be furnished annually by the advertiser by the 30th day of July failing which the lease shall stand cancelled automatically and the Local Taxes Department; CDGK shall be authorized to remove the board without any notice at the cost of the advertiser. <br />
<br />
And finally have a look at the Affidavit;<br />
<br />
<b><u>AFFIDAVIT</u></b><br />
<br />
I ____________________________ S/o / D/o / W/o __________________________________ on behalf of my Company __________________________________ do hereby affirm that we have carefully read the terms & conditions of registration for Advertising with the Local Taxes Department, CDGK Department, CDGK and affirm that we shall unconditionally abide by the terms & condition for registration. In case we do not abide by any of the said terms & conditions, the Local Taxes Department, CDGK Department, CDGK shall be authorized to cancel our registration with obvious consequences. In particular, we affirm that we shall not default payment of rent and in no case shall we delay payment of the rent of sites, allowed to us for publicity boards, <u><font color="Red">we shall not compromise on the strength of structures,</font></u> which is so vital to the safety of human life and property. Also in case of dispute with Local Taxes Department, we agree to referral of cases to City Nazim for dispute resolution.<br />
<br />
My question:<br />
<br />
1. Is this really happening in Pakistan? or it is just on papers?<br />
2. Do you think any engineering is being practised in Pakistan for desiging these sign boards?