PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has imposed a strict ban on the use of government resources, vehicles and personnel in political parties’ protests, long marches, rallies and other activities. It has held that such actions constitute misconduct and undermine public confidence in the government.
The court issued these directives while disposing of a writ petition filed by Jawad Ali. A Division Bench consisting of Judge Sahibzada Asadullah and Judge Dr. Khurshid Iqbal heard the case. Advocate Intekhab Chamkani represented the petitioner.
In the petition, it was alleged that PTI’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government had used state resources during various political protests and demonstrations, resulting in misuse of taxpayers’ money.
Submitting a list of official vehicles allegedly used during recent rallies, the petitioner alleged that public assets were being diverted from their intended administrative purpose to serve the interests of a single political party.
He stated that the party workers had started considering government vehicles as their personal assets as witnessed during the recent protest activities.
During the proceedings, the Assistant Solicitor General representing the provincial government argued that the lists submitted in court were incorrect and that the PTI-led provincial government was not using state resources for political purposes.
He claimed that government employees participated in such events in their personal capacity and used their own private resources.
In its detailed judgement, authored by Justice Asadullah, the court stated that it thoroughly examined the concerns raised in the petition along with lists of vehicles and other resources presented.
The court observed that misuse of public assets for party activities erodes public confidence and creates administrative difficulties for the government itself.
It stated that in a democratic system all institutions have clearly defined boundaries and must operate within them. It declared that any department functioning on public funds cannot become an instrument of any political party, irrespective of the party in power.
The judgment emphasized that the state’s resources are generated solely by public funds, and therefore no individual or political entity has the right to use them for rallies, protests or long marches.
The court observed that public expectations from a democratic government require strict adherence to transparency and accountable governance.
It emphasized that administrative officials must ensure that official vehicles, assets of departments and government personnel are not used in any political events.
Participation of government employees in such activities, the court added, amounts to misconduct and may invite disciplinary action.
In conclusion, the PHC dismissed the petition and directed all administrative heads to strictly enforce the ban and ensure that no department, employee or government resource is used to support any political demonstration, protest or sit-in.
