PESHAWAR – The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday banned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government from using official vehicles for personal or political purposes. The court said such use amounts to “misconduct and abuse of authority.” It emphasized that government resources must serve citizens, not political activities.
The PHC ruled that using government vehicles, machinery, or manpower for rallies, protests, or long marches violates public trust. It noted that such practices undermine the neutrality of governance. The court stressed that public resources exist to perform official duties and provide services to citizens, not for partisan agendas.
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According to the order, diverting public property for personal or political use undermines public office and shakes confidence in the administration. The court cited Articles 4, 5, and 25 of the Constitution, which guarantee fairness, equality, and loyalty to the state. Officials cannot exploit government property to favor any party or individual.
The PHC instructed the KP government to ensure no official vehicles, machinery, or personnel are deployed for protests, rallies, or political events. The court stressed that using state resources in political activities creates a false impression of state endorsement or complicity, which is impermissible in a democratic system.
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The decision stems from a petition filed last November against the KP government led by then-chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The petition accused authorities of using fire engines and other machinery during PTI’s long march to Islamabad, where clashes erupted at D-Chowk amid tear gas and a retreat of party supporters from the Red Zone.