PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah has directed all officials of the provincial government not to comply with any order compelling them to aid or facilitate any procession towards the federal capital ahead of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Sept 27 march on Islamabad.

In an office memorandum, addressed to the administrative secretaries, police department and field formations of the provincial government, the chief secretary’s office said that the Islamabad High Court had issued certain directions in relation to marches, processions and rallies leading to the Islamabad Capital Territory.

It added that paragraph 6 of the court order specifically required the chief secretaries and inspectors general of police of the provinces to issue corresponding instructions to officials.

“Accordingly, and in compliance with the said direction, all officers and officials are being informed that any official who is so compelled shall forthwith inform the chief secretary or inspector general of police,” it said.

Says any such orders should be reported to him, IGP

The chief secretary’s office said that no official would permit any person to participate in any such march, rally or procession where the intent or consequence was obstruction or hindrance to free movement, trade, business, commerce, access to educational institutions, medical facilities or peaceful and lawful use of properties in the federal capital.

The memorandum stated that a helpline (091-9210068) was available, as directed by court, to officials for reporting any coercion or inducement in this regard; and departmental action shall be taken against any official violating the Court’s order or these directions.

It added that in the same order, the Islamabad High Court had also directed that no governmental resources, public funds or officials, either directly or indirectly, would be used, raised or participated, on any pretext, in any march, procession and rally towards Islamabad.

Similarly, it said that the court has also ordered no official vehicle, machinery, or any other equipment is used to aid and/or facilitate the people participating in any march, procession, rally leading towards the ICT and no public servant was compelled, coerced, induced or otherwise required to participate in any march or procession rally leading towards the ICT.

“All administrative secretaries, heads of departments, commissioners, deputy commissioners and other officers and officials shall ensure compliance with the above Court directions in letter and spirit and bring the same to the notice of all officers and officials under their control,” the memorandum read.

On Sept 14, the Islamabad High Court, on a petition filed on behalf of the deputy commissioner and district magistrate, Islamabad Capital Territory, under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, read with Article 164 of the Constitution, had declared that the provincial governments including, the chief ministers of the provinces shall ensure that no governmental resources, public funds or officials, either directly or indirectly, shall be used, raised or participated, on any pretext, in any march, procession and rally leading towards the ICT.

The court had also directed the provincial governments including, the chief ministers of the provinces, to ensure that no official vehicle, machinery, or any other equipment is used to aid and/or facilitate the people participating in any march, procession and rally leading towards the ICT.

It said that the administration of the ICT including, the Ministry of Interior shall ensure that no one residing within the ICT undertakes any activity which results in offending the rights of other citizens or persons guaranteed under Articles 9, 15, 18, 23, 24 and 25A of the Constitution;

“The chief secretaries and inspectors general of police of the provinces, the interior secretary, the chief commissioner and the inspector general of police of ICT shall forthwith, under intimation to the registrar of this court, issue following directions and instructions to the officials of the federal and provincial governments performing functions in the ICT or in the Provinces to the effect that: (a) no official shall comply with any order compelling him or her to aid or facilitate any march, rally or procession leading towards the ICT,” it said.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026