LEGAL
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday issued a landmark ruling banning the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government from using official vehicles, machinery, or any state resources for political or personal purposes. The decision came in response to concerns over the misuse of government assets during political events and protest activities.
According to the detailed court order, the PHC declared that using government resources without proper authorisation constitutes “misconduct and abuse of authority”. The court stressed that such actions undermine public trust and violate the core principles of neutrality and fairness expected from a democratic government.
“This court is of the view that the use of official vehicles, machinery, or any other government resources for participation in, or facilitation of, political gatherings, protest rallies, or long marches constitutes a blatant misuse of public property and authority,” the order stated.
The judgment underlined that public resources are purchased and maintained using taxpayer money for official duties only. Their diversion — whether direct or indirect — for political interests damages the sanctity of public office and erodes public confidence in the administration’s impartiality.
The court referenced Articles 4, 5, and 25 of the Constitution, noting that these provisions ensure equality before the law and bar any political party or individual from using public assets to gain an unfair advantage over others.
“In a democratic system governed by the rule of law, the state must maintain strict separation between official functions and political activities,” the PHC noted. It further observed that deploying government assets in political events can give the impression of state endorsement of partisan agendas, which is constitutionally unacceptable.
In its directive, the PHC ordered the KP government to ensure that no official vehicle, machinery, or manpower under its control is deployed for protests, rallies, long marches, or any political activity.
The ruling comes months after a petition was filed against the previous KP government, led by then–chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, for allegedly using resources such as fire engines and heavy machinery during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march to Islamabad. The petition stated that government officials and public equipment were mobilised to support the political demonstration.
During the march, PTI supporters had gathered at D-Chowk to demand the release of PTI founder Imran Khan. The event saw intense tear gas shelling and clashes with security forces, eventually leading to a retreat by party leaders and workers from the Red Zone.
The PHC ruling is expected to set a clear precedent on maintaining the neutrality of public resources and limiting political influence over state machinery.
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