PHC bans political use of govt resources | The Express Tribune

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has imposed a strict ban on the use of government resources, vehicles and staff in political parties’ protests, long marches, rallies and other activities. It has ruled that such actions constitute misconduct and undermine public trust in the government.

The court issued these directives while disposing of a writ petition filed by Jawad Ali. A division bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal heard the case. Advocate Intekhab Chamkani represented the petitioner.

In the petition, it was argued that PTI’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government had been utilising state resources during various political protests and demonstrations, resulting in the misuse of taxpayers’ money.

The petitioner submitted a list of official vehicles allegedly used during recent rallies and claimed that public assets were being diverted from their intended administrative purposes to serve the interests of a single political party.

He stated that workers of the party had begun to consider government vehicles as their personal assets, as witnessed during recent protest activities.

During the proceedings, the Assistant Advocate 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 contended that government workers were participating in such events in their personal capacity and using their own private resources.

In its detailed judgment authored by Justice Asadullah, the court stated that it thoroughly examined the concerns raised in the petition, along with the 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 held that in a democratic system all institutions have clearly defined limits and must operate within them. It declared that any department functioning on public funds cannot become an instrument of a political party, regardless of which party is in power.

The judgment stressed that state resources are generated solely from public money, and therefore no individual or political entity has the right to utilise them for rallies, protests or long marches.

The court observed that public expectations from a democratic government require strict adherence to transparency and responsible governance.

It emphasised that administrative officers must ensure that official vehicles, departments’ assets, and government staff are not used in any political event.

The participation of government employees in such activities, the court added, falls under misconduct and may invite disciplinary action.

Concluding the case, the PHC disposed of the petition and directed all administrative heads to strictly enforce the prohibition, ensuring that no department, employee or state resource is used in support of any political rally, protest or sit-in.