PESHAWAR, September 18: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah has directed provincial departments and officials not to use government resources for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned long march towards Islamabad on September 27, in line with orders issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The chief secretary issued a circular to heads of institutions across the province, directing that government resources must not be used for any march, procession or rally heading towards Islamabad.
The directive follows an IHC ruling requiring provincial governments to ensure that government resources and official machinery are not used for PTI’s planned September 27 protest.
According to the circular, government employees must not comply with any instruction that would result in a violation of the court’s orders.
Officials have also been instructed to immediately inform the chief secretary or the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general of police if they are pressured or compelled to follow such an order.
The instructions have been sent to all administrative secretaries, heads of departments, commissioners, deputy commissioners and other officials, directing them to ensure compliance with the court order.
The Islamabad High Court had disposed of a petition concerning PTI’s planned march and directed the chief ministers of all provinces to ensure that no government resources or official machinery were used for the political protest.
PTI has announced a long march towards Islamabad for September 27.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has also launched a street mobilisation campaign ahead of the planned march, including visits to Sindh and Punjab and public gatherings.
Afridi said during his Lahore campaign that preparations for the September 27 march had been completed and that PTI would disclose its detailed plan a week before the protest.