KEY POINTS
- Court declares such use an act of corruption and abuse of authority
- Govt officials and employees are strictly prohibited from participating in political events
- All protests, rallies, gatherings, and processions banned in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
- Authorities warned that any violation will result in immediate action
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani high court on Monday issued a clear ruling against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government’s misuse of official resources, declaring that no state-owned vehicles, equipment, or staff may be deployed for political activities.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) ruled that using government assets for protests, marches, or rallies constitutes corruption and an abuse of authority.
Underscoring the principle of absolute neutrality, the PHC strictly prohibited government officers and employees from taking part in political events.
The court observed that employing public resources for political purposes infringes upon fundamental rights and cannot be tolerated, imposing a complete ban on the practice.
With this ruling, the PHC has firmly shut the door on any political exploitation of government assets and has instructed the authorities to guarantee their lawful and appropriate use at all times.
High Alert
Meanwhile, a high alert was issued for the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protest. Local authorities have imposed Section 144, banning all protests, rallies, and processions in the twin cities.
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period.
It is usually imposed to prevent potential disturbances, maintain law and order, and curb any activities that might escalate into violence.
The decision comes ahead of high-stakes demonstration outside Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail, called by PTI parliamentarians demanding swift hearings in cases against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
In its statement, the administration cautioned that the law would be applied immediately in the event of any violation. “Any illegal activity will prompt swift action,” the announcement warned.
Residents were urged to avoid participating in unlawful gatherings, with authorities stressing that public cooperation is vital for maintaining peace and security in the city.
The administration did not specify how long the restrictions would stay in effect.
According to an order issued by the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, the decision was made due to the prevailing law and order situation. All kinds of gatherings, rallies, processions, and sit-ins have been prohibited from December 1 to 3.
