'No free pass for banners'

Mayor defends crackdown on wall chalking, says free speech must follow the law

KARACHI:

Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that while political opponents are free to criticise him, the use of banners and wall chalking in the city remains illegal and cannot be justified under the guise of free expression.

Speaking to the media at the Sindh High Court on Thursday, where he had appeared in a private case, Wahab stressed that freedom of expression is subject to legal boundaries. "Anyone, including Jamaat-e-Islami or my critics, can speak against me, but putting up banners or chalking on walls is unlawful," he said.

The mayor noted that such practices are not seen in other major cities like Lahore and Islamabad, questioning why Karachi should be treated differently. He pointed out the contradiction of using banners to demand a cleaner city, adding that maintaining cleanliness requires collective responsibility.

Wahab also warned printing press owners and shopkeepers against facilitating illegal activities, stating that banners cannot be displayed on public property without permission and that those involved do not pay any taxes to the government.

Referring to constitutional provisions, he said Article 19 guarantees freedom of expression but within the framework of the law. "Does the law allow you to place banners or posters on someone else's property or public spaces?" he asked.