he administration of Islamabad Capital Territory is working to remove heavy billboards from the city before the monsoons begin.

Islamabad has witnessed unprecedented wind- and hail-storms this year. About a month ago, a powerful hailstorm lashed the capital, uprooting trees and causing significant damage to property.

In another windstorm, a huge billboard near the National Press Club fell down. No injuries were reported, but a few vehicles parked beneath the signboard got damaged.

After this incident, the district administration decided to take action against the installations and remove large billboards as a precautionary measure, ahead of the rainy season.

“Of late, the weather has been extreme; the windstorms have become more frequent. We decided to take action against billboards because we wanted to save lives,” says a spokesperson for the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. “Now, the district administration has decided to remove all billboards in the city to avoid the risk of accidents.”

Large billboards can be seen at a number of locations on main roads. There are also a number of billboards in peripheral areas of the city.

Recent hailstorms caused serious damage to vehicles, solar panels and property. There is a growing fear among the citizens that such windstorms and extreme weather conditions may become the new normal and pose a threat to their safety.

“Climate change is not only affecting weather but also causing serious problems related to public safety and food security. Policymakers need to take this into account and prioritise the well-being of citizens,” says Hammad Hassan, a resident of Islamabad.

“There has been a shift in the actions of the city administration after the recent windstorms,” he says, adding “Now, they also issue a precautionary notice before storms, urging residents to be careful,” says Hassan.

In addition to issuing the directives to remove all installations, the DC’s Office has also constituted teams to monitor various neighbourhoods and identify locations that can pose a threat to public safety during stormy weather.

The issue of billboards is not new. Last year, too, the administration had set up enforcement teams to remove illegally placed billboards. The operation was aimed at “removing visual pollution” and “safeguarding the lives and properties of residents from any potential hazards.”

In 2019, the city administration, in a suo motu hearing, had assured a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan that it would remove all billboards.

Last year, the administration had also started working on a digital billboard policy. The policy is meant to replace traditional advertising methods with modern digital displays, “…transforming the city’s streets into a vibrant show of colour and motion.”

These digital billboards will be installed at select locations across the city, including streets, avenues, malls, bus stops, public transport and pedestrian bridges. The implementation has already begun on some roads

In a similar climate change policy shift, the CDA has imposed a ban on plastic billboards and banners in the federal capital, aiming for “eco-friendly and modern digital streamers.”

The writer is a staff member. He can be reached at vaqargillani@gmail.com