PESHAWAR: A writ petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday challenging the alleged use of government resources for a political rally announced for April 9 at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi.
The petition names the chief minister, chief secretary, secretary law, inspector general of police, and inspector general of National Highways and Motorway Police as respondents.
Filed by former member of the provincial assembly Javed Naseem through Advocate Anwar-ul-Haq, the petition seeks a court order to restrain the use of official resources in political rallies, protests, and marches.
The petitioner contended that the chief minister had announced holding a public gathering at Liaquat Bagh on April 9 and stated that the event would be held even if a no-objection certificate (NOC) was not granted, and would not be postponed under any circumstances.
The petition alleged that whenever the KP government holds such events, state resources are used and government employees are directed to attend. It added that action is allegedly taken against officials who do not participate.
It was stated that during previous marches towards Islamabad, heavy machinery and other equipment from provincial government departments were utilized.Vehicles of Rescue 1122 and the Peshawar Development Authority were reportedly deployed in advance up to Swabi, while during the May 24 protest, Islamabad police had taken some of these vehicles into custody.
The petitioner requested the court to bar the respondents from using government vehicles, machinery, and other public resources for political purposes, arguing that the PHC had already declared such practices, along with road blockages during political gatherings, to be illegal.
The petition urged the court to direct authorities to ensure that traffic flow on roads, highways, and motorways is not disrupted, and to restrain the chief minister from using official resources for personal or political activities.
