Apex court seeks report on Shehbaz’s ‘publicity’ drive

CJP asks why laptops, health cards carry Punjab CM’s images

LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Saturday took suo motu notice of the “self-projection” campaign in the media by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif through laptop and health cards schemes.

A three-member bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, conducted the hearing at the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry.

The chief justice inquired as to why laptops being purchased with public money were carrying Shehbaz’s pictures.

“Why the CM’s pictures are everywhere… even the [examination] date sheets are carrying his picture,” the CJP remarked when someone handed him a date sheet of Class VIII.

The remarks followed a laughter in the courtroom.

Justice Bandial observed that state resources could not be used for “personal projection”. He remarked that instead of advertisements, the Punjab CM should concentrate on doing concrete work.

The bench urged the political parties not to use public funds for their own promotion.

“They should do so from their own resources,” the CJP said. “Virtuous people don’t show their virtues,” he added.

“The court has deep concerns and apprehensions about the increasing national debt,” said the top judge.

The court directed the Punjab chief secretary to submit a comprehensive report about the printing of Shehbaz’s pictures on laptops and health cards, also detailing the total expense incurred on the schemes.