KP chief secretary stops officials from ‘facilitating’ march on Islamabad

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary, Shahab Ali Shah, has instructed all provincial government officials not to comply with any orders to assist or support a procession heading towards Islamabad, ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's September 27 march. In an office memorandum, the chief secretary emphasized that the Islamabad High Court had issued specific directions regarding marches, processions, and rallies leading to the Islamabad Capital Territory.

Paragraph 6 of the court order required chief secretaries and police inspectors general to pass on these instructions to their provincial officials. It was stated that any official who receives such orders must immediately inform the chief secretary or police inspector general. Officials were ordered not to permit anyone to participate in marches, rallies, or processions that could obstruct movement, trade, business, commerce, access to educational institutions, medical facilities, or peaceful use of properties in Islamabad.

A helpline was established for officials to report any coercion or inducement related to this issue, with departmental action against violators of the court's order or these directives. The court also prohibited the use of governmental resources, public funds, or officials, either directly or indirectly, in any march, procession, or rally leading to Islamabad.

Additionally, no official vehicle, machinery, or equipment should be used to aid and/or facilitate people participating in such marches, processions, or rallies leading towards the Islamabad Capital Territory. Compliance with these court directives was emphasized, and officials were instructed to inform all officers and officials under their control.