The special investigation team of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali, investigating corruption allegations against Director of Advertising Department of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), is facing pressure from some influential high-ups in carrying the inquiry against the said official, sources told Business Recorder on Saturday.
The CM ordered an inquiry against Director Advertisement Department KMC Akhtar Shaikh, on the charges of corruption and malpractices in his department. In a letter written to the Chairman Inspection Team, CM Sindh ordered to conduct inquiry into the matter however, no time period was given to team in this regard.
Sources alleged since the Director Advertising was a very influential person, he was trying to cast political influence to get stopped the inquiry, being carried out against him, while high level officials of KMC were also trying and using their influence to impede the investigation.
Sources inside the CM's Inspection Team said that comments had been sought from Commissioner Karachi, Secretary Information and Administrator with regard to subject of the letter to go head with inquiry. Sources said Director Akhter Sheikh had sanctioned un-regularised signboards and billboards across the city, which were not only hazardous and dangerous for safety of the citizens but also reflecting an ugly picture of the city. "These illegal signboards are also causing million of rupees of revenue loss to the city."
Sources said that dozens of illegal signboards had been erected in various parts of city with a permission of KMC Advertisement department. It is noteworthy to mention here that few months back a committee was constituted for conducting inquiry about unauthorised signboards which marked some 50 signboards in the city against the bylaws. Upon the inquiry illegal signboards were removed from the city but after very short time span those advertisement boards were back again. Sources said despite the frequent pointing out to the violations, favourites were still being granted permissions, and complaints in this regard were going totally unheeded.
They said those advertisers were being allowed to erect signboards in the city against heavy kickbacks offered to official concerned of advertisement department. According to the city bylaws, there must be a distance of at least 200 feet between each board which was currently being ignored, thus marring the beauty of the city. In this regard, when contacted Municipal Commissioner Matanat Ali Khan, he said crackdown against illegal signboards in city would be ensured.