Political Neutrality in Focus: KP Administration Guidelines to Avoid PTI Protest Participation

Political Neutrality in Focus: KP Administration Guidelines to Avoid PTI Protest Participation

Saving Professional Integrity: KP’s Directing Manual Clearly aiming at maintaining political neutrality, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) instructed government employees including police officers to refrain from both official and personal involvement in political events. The decision aligns with growing conflicts around the November 24, 2024 conference of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Reminder of Conduct Rules by Division of Establishment

The directions of the Chief Secretary line up with a fresh letter from the Division of Establishments. It reminded authorities of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) and Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) about their responsibility to uphold law and order professionally and neutrally, especially during enhanced political activity.

Underlining rigorous respect to the Government Servantes (Conduct) Rules, 1964, the letter advised against any political use of state resources, influence, or personnel. Under the Civil Servatives (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 2020 non-compliance could lead to disciplinary action.

“No Leniency for Break of Duty” Chief Secretary KP
Emphasizing the message, the KP Chief Secretary visited important law enforcement and administrative officials asking them not to use public resources or assets for personal advantage. Emphasizing the need of serving the Constitution and the people above any political affiliation, he insisted on upholding the best standards of integrity and objectivity.

People come to you looking for objective government. Any departure from your professional responsibilities would be taken rather seriously legally, advised.

The Shadow of October 5: Claims of Government Resource Mismanagement
Background for this most recent recommendation comes from October 5 events, when KP resources allegedly were used during a PTI conference in Islamabad. Allegedly, KP’s government provided official weapons, rubber bullets, tear gas shells, and other supplies.

Courts in Punjab and Islamabad also granted bail to 41 Rescue 1122 members and 34 police officials arrested for marching with seized state vehicles, including ambulances and fire engines.

Financial consequences: The price of political involvement

Further fueling the debate was a letter from KP’s Finance Department confirming that over Rs 230 million had already been spent for the October event and that more claims of Rs 583 million still needed clearance. The upcoming PTI event on November 24 just serves to draw attention to public fund usage issues.

Interior Ministry Demand Responsibility: Federal Control

The Ministry of Interior answered by instructing KP officials to ensure political events do not use public money. A federal committee has also been set up to look at claimed October rally expenditure of state funds and resources.

Maintaining Neutrality in an Environment Politically Charged.
The KP government is under pressure to perform constitutional obligations and stop more public fund abuse as the PTI protest date draws near. Maintaining objectivity in a period of growing political polarization enables the Chief Secretary to demonstrate a higher will to preserve public confidence in government.

The top government of KP emphasizes the need of moral leadership in trying conditions. Under public criticism, the emphasis still remains on making sure that state machinery serves the people rather than political goals.