PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police chief has directed all police units to immediately enforce a Peshawar High Court (PHC) ruling that bars the use of government vehicles, equipment and personnel in political rallies or protests.
The directives come a day after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) announced to hold a protest.
ead of PTI protest following the court’s ruling, KP police leadership issued internal orders instructing officers of all ranks to remain within their designated jurisdictions and refrain from engaging in political activity of any kind.
In a circular issued from the Inspector General of Police’s office, the IG instructed all regional police officers, district police officers and the Capital City Police Officer Peshawar to implement the court order “in letter and spirit” and refrain from engaging in political activities. The memo included the four-page PHC judgment issued on October 23 in Writ Petition in the public interest.
The PHC ruling came after a petition accused the provincial government of using official vehicles, heavy equipment and government staff to support rallies of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The court held that deploying state resources for political events is a “blatant misuse of public property and authority.”
The court said such acts violate public trust, undermine neutrality in governance and divert resources meant for essential public services. It warned that government machinery cannot be used to participate in, facilitate or support political marches or protests.
The KP police chief circulated the judgment to all units and ordered full compliance. Copies were also sent to the Registrar of the Peshawar High Court, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and senior police officials.
The directive comes as political tensions rise in the province, where PTI supporters have wanted to stage rallies. The PHC ruling effectively prohibits the provincial administration from deploying government assets in any political mobilisation.
Authorities have been told to monitor compliance and ensure no official vehicle, rescue machinery, fire brigade unit or government employee is used for political purposes.
Earlier last month, the Peshawar High Court issued a landmark ruling against the misuse of government machinery by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. The court barred the use of government vehicles, equipment, or staff for political rallies, marches, or protests.
The PHC described such misuse as corruption and abuse of authority. It ordered full impartiality in political activities and prohibited government officials and employees from participating in political events.
The court emphasized that using state resources for political purposes violates fundamental rights and is strictly unacceptable. Authorities were directed to ensure government property is used lawfully and properly.
