LAHORE: Following a recent surge in government officers showcasing their official vehicles and posting on-duty images on social media sites, especially X (formerly Twitter), the Punjab government has issued another stern directive, warning all young officers against sharing their personal opinions or statements on any social media platform.

In a letter issued to all grade 17 officers in the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) and Provincial Management Service (PMS), the Punjab government has cautioned that officers misusing social media platforms will face strict disciplinary actions.

It emphasised that these young officers, working in various roles in the field and the secretariat, represent the provincial government’s image.

The directive came after a recent notable incident when an assistant commissioner from a central Punjab district posted a photo on X of his newly acquired official Hilux Revo, highlighting its flashy headlights and emergency lights. The accompanying caption read: “Received official vehicle today. Grateful”.

All grade 17 PAS, PMS officers warned against flaunting privileges on social media platform

The post prompted an immediate backlash, as it was perceived as a civil servant flaunting luxuries obtained on taxpayer money. The officer later deleted the post.

Similarly, several other assistant commissioners have also been observed posting pictures from routine duty visits that seemed to flaunt their privileges. Some images depicted members of their protocol shielding officers from the sun or rain with umbrellas.

The Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has expressed grave concern over officers’ casual use of social media platforms such as Facebook, X, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

It highlighted that posts made without considering their potential public repercussions, especially when made in an official capacity, can be detrimental.

They might jeopardise national security, disrupt public order, or even offend societal decency and morality.

Such posts might also amount to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence, or propagate sectarian creeds and can embarrass the government, leading to misconduct and inefficiency under the rules.

Referring to civil service conduct rules and instructions from the Establishment Division, the government’s directive underscored that civil servants are prohibited from making any public statements or opinions, whether to the press or on public appearances, television programmes, radio broadcasts or any social media platform.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2023