ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all government departments not to spend public funds on advertisements glorifying government functionaries wherein their pictures are published in print and electronic media.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing a case related to Universal Support Funds (USF), which has reportedly released Rs127 million to advertising company ‘Midas’ for publicity. Suo motu action was taken by Justice Chaudhry following news reports published simultaneously in The Daily Express and The Express Tribune on November 19.
Taking notice of publicity of government functionaries using public money, Justice Chaudhry said: “Under no rule can the pictures of any public functionary be published at the expense of public funds.”
The apex court sought detailed reports from the ministry of information, public information department, ministry of information technology, all the provincial chief secretaries including chief commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory, regarding the mechanism in place for publicity of government functionaries, the volume of funds they spend annually, and the provisions under which these funds are used. The court also directed the authorities concerned to provide details of the advertising agencies to which the work is contracted, and the legalities of the transactions.
Information and Technology Secretary Amir Tariq Zaman defended the use of public funds saying the decision was taken by an 8-member team of the USF headed by the prime minister.
The chief justice, however, put the onus on the secretary. “Being the head of the department, how did you agree to release funds in violation of rules?” questioned the chief justice, adding: “Public service is the responsibility of public functionaries. There is no logic for publicising it by releasing pictures of functionaries in newspapers.”
The secretary tried to counter the argument by insisting that considerable development work had been done in underserved and underdeveloped areas, particularly in Mustung and Gwadar, and the government wanted to make people aware of these achievements.
“You have published these advertisements in English newspapers, which neither reach underserved areas, nor can they be read by the people living there,” remarked Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed.
“You have spent public funds on political publicity. Tell us under which rule you are doing so,” Justice Chaudhry chipped in.
The chief justice also suggested another alternative to expensive advertisements. “If you install phones in such areas, the households will publicise [the achievements] by calling up their relatives, and there will be no need of publishing advertisements by spending huge sums of money.”
“If anyone wants personal publicity, then he should do so using his own resources, not public funds. Political publicity through public resources should come to an end once and for all,” he added.
“Do inform the people, but without giving favours to anyone at the cost of the national exchequer. Otherwise, we will tell other advertising agencies to register cases against responsible officials,” warned the chief justice.
The counsel of USF’s former chief executive officer Riaz Ashar Siddiqui also voiced his client’s grievances. Siddiqui’s lawyer maintained his client was illegally sacked through emails sent by information ministry officials when he refused to release illegitimate payments of Rs135 million from the national exchequer to Midas.
This, the lawyer said, was the reason for removing Siddiqui from his post of USF’s CEO: to punish him for his noncompliance.
“My client was even pressurised through the National Accountability Bureau upon his refusal to toe his superiors,” said the counsel.
The information secretary, however, argued Riaz Siddiqui was relieved of his services along with another senior officer of the USF due to their poor performance.
Justice Gulzar Ahmed remained unimpressed with the secretary’s assertion, and said if that indeed was the case, why was Siddiqui appointed at such a senior position in the first place.
The case was adjourned till December 7.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2012.
COMMENTS (9)
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A good 'order' in principle. They also must order to stop all publicity campaigns started by the "Jan-nisars" to project and promote the Chief Justice as the one and only and the greatest saviour here. After all the man is just a man and mortal like all of us and we can and will do without him just as well.
One more good step from SC.
Good decision. Lets hope this manages to save public money.
Bad judgement for private media
Very good decision, good to finally see someone using common sense in the country.
Sad, now how will Showbaz shareef will do his advertising from Punjab Gov money! Sad. Will it remove billion of rupees banners and billboards with his picture across Punjab. Will he not be allowed to send SMS from the data gathered by giving Public money Laptops? How can SC to this. So mean I must say!
Another step fwd, thank you
A very good decision by SC. Money worth billions of Rs is spent annually glorifying ministers and politicians, the money that should have been spent to benefit the poor.
Politicians are the same everywhere. I've seen and read Australian, American and Indian politicans use taxpayer money for their own campaigns. Whose says politicians work for the people?