Checkpoint Nike

While the city of Sao Paulo sought a cure for its urban ills by banning commercial advertising (to the cheers of thousands of people who don't live there), the Islamabad police department has turned to public advertising as a way of beautifying the series of eyesores that punctuate the city's avenues -- the security checkpoints. 

"Zefra Restaurante - Bar-B-Que with a twist," announces the wrap-around, red-and-orange wallpaper encircling one guard booth. "Stop. Security Check. Tasty," reads the lettering on a metal gate sponsored by Tasty snack foods, producer of "supari sweets," which are made of betel nuts and saccharine menthol. Pepsi, Wateen telecommunications, Ufone mobile and Murree Brewery are among the other companies shelling out cash for the prime marketing real estate.

The ads service a number of purposes. First, they provide much-needed funds to help pay for the checkpoints. But they also provide visual clues to motorists who were plowing into the unadorned concrete jersey barriers. But perhaps most interesting is that the advertisements symbolize something important to the population -- that despite the violence and political upheavals in Pakistan, the city is open to business and investment:

"The private sector has always been scared to invest in Pakistan," Hassan said. "We have to provoke the investors, the private sector, the businessmen who can build the nation in this manner, and also save the country."

That's something the anti-advertising constituency in the developed world has the luxury of decrying.