IHC re-issues notices on plea against use of PTI flag on Sehat Card

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday again issued notices to the secretaries of the Ministry of Health and Information regarding use of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) flag on Sehat Card.

A single bench of Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNAs Barrister Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha and Noorul Hassan Tanveer's petition to stop the use of the PTI flag on the health cards.

The IHC chief justice remarked that why political matters were brought before the court.

Barrister Ranjha said the public money could not be used for the interest of a political party.

He added it was a violation of general financial rules to use public money for the ruling party, and the decision of Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The petitioner's counsel drew the attention of the IHC towards the Supreme Court order dated 28 February 2018 in suo motu case titled, "Action taken on the advertisements in various print and electronic media regarding projects/works done by the Government of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa".

The court observed that a plain reading of the said order of the apex court unequivocally showed that public funds could not be used in any manner for "self projection and aggrandizement" under the garb of informing the public about the projects completed or being undertaken by the respective governments.

The counsels also referred the judgment of the Balochistan High Court regarding printing or displaying pictures of public office holders, flags or colours of political parties or other content having the effect of "self projection and aggrandizement".

The IHC bench directed secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to nominate an authorised representative to appear in person before the Court on the next date along with written comments, and explain why the federal government and organisations controlled by it might not be directed to forthwith discontinue the practice, which was in violation of the unambiguous law enunciated by the august Supreme Court vide order, dated 28 February 2018.

The IHC bench also re-issued notices to the attorney general for Pakistan and directed all the respondents to submit replies.

After issuing directions, the hearing was deferred for two weeks.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020