LAHORE: The Punjab government has directed its civil administration to remove the plaques bearing names of ministers, MNAs, MPAs and local leaders on development schemes installed since March 1. No plaques will be allowed from now onward on any development scheme across the province till the conclusion of upcoming general election process.

Chief Secretary retired Capt Zahid Saeed has sent a letter to all administrative secretaries, commissioners and deputy commissioners for strict compliance.

Since the Election Commission of Pakistan is busy with preparations for upcoming general elections, the commission is receiving reports from various stakeholders against the public office holders for announcing development schemes and fixing inaugural plaques with their names for their projection to woo voters.

In a letter to the Punjab chief secretary, the ECP has acknowledged that development schemes such as hospitals, roads, tubewells, schools etc are being executed through public money. The commission, however, made it clear that self-projection through public exchequer would by no means be acceptable.

The ECP states that it has imposed a complete ban on fixing plaques with the names of ministers, MNAs, MPAs as well as public office holders in local governments at any development schemes now onward – to discourage such activities and provide a level-playing field and congenial environment to all the prospective candidates and political parties before the general elections.

A ban has also been imposed on publicity campaign in print and electronic media at the cost of public money by the government.

The chief secretary has directed his civil administration to monitor and stop any kind of publicity campaign in the form of advertisement of development projects or inaugurations by any party or the government at the expense of public money – neither in print nor in electronic media with immediate effect.

The chief secretary says stern action would be taken against those failing to comply with ECP directions.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2018