PESHAWAR (Kashmir English): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Friday directed all officials and police officers to strictly comply with the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order restricting the use of government resources and public officials for marches, rallies and processions heading towards Islamabad.
The Chief Secretary KP issued an office memorandum on September 18, following the IHC order issued over the petition filed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) proposed long march.
Under the directives, no government official will comply with any order compelling them to aid or facilitate a march, rally, or procession leading towards the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
“No official shall permit any person to participate in any such march/rally/procession where the intent or consequence is obstruction or hindrance to free movement, trade, business, commerce, access to educational institutions, medical facilities or peaceful and lawful use of properties in the ICT,” it stated.
The office memorandum also provided a helpline for officials reporting any coercion or inducement. Officials or other relevant people can call 091-9210068 to report any coercion, the memorandum said.
The KP government has directed all administrative secretaries, heads of departments, commissioners, deputy commissioners and other officials to ensure implementation of the court directions and communicate them to officers under their control.
IGP KP issues directives
Separately, the office of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also issued instructions to all police units, regional police officers and district police officers for strict compliance with the IHC order.
The police directive states that government resources, public funds, official vehicles, machinery or other equipment must not be used directly or indirectly to facilitate any march, rally or procession heading towards Islamabad.
It further directs that no public servant may be compelled, coerced or induced to participate in such a political gathering.
“It is further directed by the Islamabad High Court to ensure that no governmental resources, public funds or officials, either directly or indirectly, shall be used, raised or participate, on any pretext, in any march/procession/rally leading towards the ICT,” the directive also stated.
The notice warned that departmental action would be taken against officials who violate the court order or related instructions.
