LAHORE: A writ petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC), demanding complete transparency and a breakdown of public funds spent on the media and publicity campaigns of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Lawyer and social activist Barrister Abuzar Salman Khan Niazi, the petitioner, also challenged the provincial’s government’s refusal to disclose detailed record of tax payers’ money being allegedly utilised for chief minister’s self protection across the print, electronic and digital media.

The petitioner had earlier submitted a formal right-to-information application with the Punjab information and culture department, finance department and the Director General Public Relations (DGPR).

He sought specific details regarding public expenditures incurred from Feb 26, 2024, to date, including funds spent on advertisements, promotional material, or campaigns featuring the name, image, video of the chief minister across all media platforms.

In his petition, Barrister Niazi argued that the alternate remedy before the information commission remained inefficacious as the appointment and tenure of its commissioners were dependent upon the pleasure of the government of the day.

The petitioner referred to a Supreme Court ruling, which says that access to information is no longer a matter of administrative benevolence, but a fundamental right.

The lawyer said that information regarding the state expenditure is the foundational bedrock of a representative democracy.

He argued that hiding the details of massive publicity campaigns amounts to a constitutional breach and public exploitation.

The petitioner asked the court to allow the petition and order the Punjab government to release the requested breakdowns of publicity campaigns, contracts and expenditure sheets in the interest of justice, equity and transparency.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026