Punjab CM should show performance through work, not ads, says CJP

–SC seeks details of Shehbaz Sharif’s use of taxpayers’ money on self-publicity

–CJP takes jibe at Punjab CM, says why shouldn’t he visit hospitals as ‘someone has to tend to the people’

–Justice Nisar warns govt officials to mend their ways while they still have time

LAHORE: The Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry on Saturday ordered the Punjab chief secretary to submit a detailed report on affixing Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s pictures to laptops and health cards issued by the Punjab government and the use of taxpayers’ money for “self-publicity”.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar passed these directions while hearing the suo motu case of dumping polluted water in rivers.

Taking a jibe at Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar asked why he shouldn’t visit hospitals as “someone has to tend to the people of Pakistan as well.

“Shehbaz Sharif instead of showcasing work through advertisements should concentrate on doing concrete work,” he said.

“Why is the Punjab chief minister’s picture being printed on laptops purchased with the taxpayers’ money,” the CJP commented, expressing his annoyance at political parties utilising public money for their publicity campaigns.

Chief Justice Nisar emphasised that the political parties must not use the funds allocated for public for their promotion campaign. This must be done through their own resources, the CJP underlined, noting that virtuous people serve people in secret.

“Why do the pictures of the Punjab CM surface everywhere…even datesheets have Shehbaz’s pictures printed on them,” he said. “Government officials are using the money of a nation burdened by debts for self-publicity.”

The CJP warned the government officials to mend their ways while they still have time.

“The court is deeply concerned and apprehensive about the increasing national debt,” said Justice Nisar.

The hearing was adjourned after the CJP ordered the province’s chief secretary to submit a detailed report on the matter, including the total expense incurred on the laptop scheme.

Earlier on Thursday, the SC directed Shehbaz Sharif to submit Rs 5.5 million to the national exchequer after a newspaper advertisement on behalf of the Punjab government carrying his picture was shown in the court.

Presiding the three-member bench on Saturday, the CJP remarked that the citizens of Lahore are being exposed to poisonous water.

“The government has been working since 10 years, what has been done in this regard?” he questioned.

“The provincial government must remember that court can order the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for investigation of advertisements by Punjab government,” Justice Nisar added further.

Criticising government’s negligence towards health, the CJP said billions of rupees were spent on the Orange Line Train (OLT) project. He stated the OLT project is important too but that Shehbaz Sharif and Water and Sanitation Authority officials must answer why health is being neglected.

“Why should I not visit the hospitals? Somebody has to serve the people as well. How many times did the chief minister and officials visit hospitals? If people responsible for this work will not do it, somebody else will,” the CJP remarked.

Justice Umar Atta Bandiyal reiterated that the country is drowned in debts while rulers spend money on advertisements.

“The governments must prioritise things. The court is concerned and fearful of the situation of debts,” he added.

Justice Nisar further inquired about the amount spent on OLT Project and was informed by the chief secretary that Rs180 billion were spent.

The chief justice ordered the submission of PC-I of clean water project in the court by March 23.

The hearing has been adjourned till March 31 and the CJP has demanded all data to be ‘on record’.