It has come to our notice that the Governments of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are running advertisements in various print and electronic media forums. Through such advertisements they are indulging in self projection and aggrandizement under the garb of informing the public about the projects completed or being undertaken by them in their respective provinces during their tenure as the Government(s) (Provincial) in power.
Such advertisements and paid content contain photographs of prominent politicians and leaders of the political parties in power. Such profligacy which is obviously undertaken at government expense and taxpayers money should not be burdening the public exchequer. It not only causes wastage of public funds which could otherwise be allocated and utilized for welfare of the public, it also results in providing an unfair advantage to the ruling party in the forthcoming elections. Moreover , in the present circumstances being an election year this may tantamount to pre-poll rigging.
2. Let complete and accurate details be submitted before this Court inter alia about the following matters: - i) all the expenditures/amounts incurred/used on such advertisements with separate details relating to electronic and print media. ii) Identity of print and electronic media houses / groups who have been paid to publish / telecast / broadcast such advertisements. iii) Names / identification of newspapers / magazines / TV channels /Radio stations which have run such advertisements / paid content and aggregate amounts paid / payable to each in the last three months. iv) The names of government departments, semi government entities, government companies other departments / entities / organizations who have been directed to pay such amounts or through which such amounts have been paid. v) A summary of the aggregate amount that each Province has spent so far in such extravagant displays and self- projection by the respective Provincial Governments.
3. A detailed report containing the above information shall be submitted under the signatures of the respective Secretaries Information of each province which shall be countersigned by Chief Secretary of each Province. The Chief Secretaries shall also submit sworn affidavits with each report confirming that all information has been checked and rechecked it is accurate and supported by the relevant record and no information has been concealed / misstated or withheld for any reason. Such report shall be filed within a period of one week from today . The office shall transmit copies of this order through courier service/Fax/email to Chief Secretaries of all provinces for compliance. Re-list on 12.03.2018.