The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that the pedestrian bridge in Clifton is not being used for advertisement.
The SHC bench, headed by Justice Nadeem Akhter, was hearing the identical petitions filed by as many as 15 citizens, including Shaikh Muhammad, Abdul Wahab and Mst Talat Inayat, who moved the court against what they claim illegal and unlawful construction of the pedestrian bridge.
The petitioners had submitted that the bridge was being constructed at main Clifton road unlawfully and illegally as there is a zebra crossing and such a bridge is not needed. They added that the contract was awarded to an advertising agency to install their billboards and other advertising material on a bridge, though the law does not permit the installation of such things on public property.
The KMC in its reply submitted that the allegations labeled by the petitioners are baseless and are mere assumptions. “The pedestrian bridge is being constructed for providing safety to the walkers and to avoid fatal accidents. It is being constructed at the original position where it was to be. The petitioners should refrain from making false allegations. The petition is maintainable and should be dismissed,” KMC said in its reply.
Earlier, the petitioners, while citing the local government secretary, Karachi administrator, district municipal corporation (south) administrator as the respondents, prayed to the court to restrain authorities concerned from constructing a bridge near zebra crossing.
