University of Peshawar bars staff from speaking with media

Warns that violators will be prosecuted under UoP Employees Efficiency and Discipline Statutes

PESHAWAR: After a string of stories in the media, the University of Peshawar, in line with directives from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Establishment Department, has barred its employees from interacting with media personnel. Violators were warned of strict action.

However, university employees continue to find ways to get word of on-campus issues out.



On July 24, the K-P Establishment Department had issued a notice to all government institutions about ‘interaction with media by government servants.’ The notice said that government servants were interacting with the media and were airing their opinion which was highly objectionable and places the government in embarrassing positions.

The notification further stated that such communications without prior sanction of the government are prohibited under the K-P Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1987.

It further warned the employees that the rules prohibit interaction of government employees with the media, either of the print or the electronic variety through participation in a radio or television programme or contribute in any article or write any letter to any newspaper or periodical expressing views on government policy and political issues.

The notification further stated that any violation of these rules may warrant punitive action under K-P Government Servants (efficiency and discipline) Rules 2011.

In the light of this notification, the University of Peshawar issued its own notification — a copy of which was available with The Express Tribune —in which it banned their employees from interacting with the media and not interact any or contribute for any newspaper.

Those who fail to adhere to the notice would be prosecuted under the University of Peshawar Employees Efficiency and Discipline Statutes-2016.



A UoP official, while wishing not to be named for fear of action under the newly notified rules, told The Express Tribune that there were various forums where university officials and teachers interacted and even resorted to the use derogatory language for each other.

He said that recently, an incident took place in the university where officials of two different departments clashed with each other and even labelled each other as unfaithful.

A UoP spokesperson confirmed the notification and said that there was no such specific order regarding the use of social media specified by the K-P Establishment Department.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2018.