PESHAWAR: Declaring the use of official resources for protest rallies a blatant misuse of public property and authority, the Peshawar High Court has ordered the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure that its machinery or employees aren’t utilised for any political activity.
While disposing of a citizen’s petition, a bench consisting of Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal, ruled: “The respondents and all authorities concerned are directed to ensure with utmost diligence that no official vehicle, machinery or manpower under their control is deployed, used or permitted to be used for any protest, long march, rally or political activity of any nature.”
In the petition, Jawad Alim sought the court’s orders for respondents, including the provincial government, against utilising the machinery of Rescue 1122 including its fire brigades, ambulances and other heavy equipment belonging to the local government, as well as from deploying or mobilising government vehicles and personnel for the purpose of participating in, facilitating or supporting any long march or protest rally.
The petition was filed through lawyer Mohammad Intikhab Chamkani after the Oct 5, 2024, march of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, on Islamabad’s D-Chowk during which scores of employees of KP Rescue 1122 were arrested by the Punjab and Islamabad police and 17 of their vehicles, accompanying the protesters, were impounded.
Stops KP govt from utilising its machinery, employees for political activities
The petitioner had annexed a list of vehicles seized regarding criminal cases registered in Islamabad.
“Though the learned additional AG (advocate general) controverted the annexure, even 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 bench ruled.
It added that such conduct was not only inconsistent with the principles of public trust and accountability but also offended the foundational concept of neutrality in governance.
“Public resources, including official vehicles and heavy machinery, are procured and maintained from the public exchequer for the sole purpose of performing official duties and providing services to the citizens in accordance with law. Their diversion for political or extraneous purposes, whether directly or indirectly, undermines the sanctity of the public office and shakes public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the administration,” it declared.
The court ruled that it was a settled principle that no public functionary, howsoever high or influential, could employ government property for personal, political, or partisan interests.
It added that such unauthorised use of official resources might amount to misconduct and abuse of authority within the meaning of the relevant service laws and accountability mechanisms.
The court maintained that it was the constitutional obligation of every public office-holder, under Articles 4 and 5 of the Constitution, to act in accordance with law and to remain faithful to the trust reposed in them by the people.
“Article 25 [of the Constitution] further guarantees equality before the law, which implies that public resources cannot be placed at the disposal of one group, party or segment of society to the disadvantage of others,” it declared.
The bench observed that in a democratic system governed by the rule of law, the state must maintain strict separation between official functions and political activities.
“The use of government vehicles or personnel in political events conveys an impression of state endorsement or complicity in partisan matters, which is impermissible. Such acts erode the principle of administrative neutrality and may lead to public disorder or a perception of bias in governance,” read the four-page detailed order in the case.
The respondents in the petition included the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government through its chief minister, the provincial cabinet, its chief secretary, secretary of the home and tribal affairs department and provincial inspector general of police.
The petitioner’s lawyer, Intikhab Chamkani, contended that the provincial government was illegally using its resources, including vehicles and heavy machinery, for the ruling PTI’s protests. He insisted that during last year’s protests in Islamabad, the government took vehicles and machinery of Rescue 1122 and other departments, including ambulances, fire engines and cranes, along before most of them were seized in Punjab and the federal capital.
Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2025
