The Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition seeking the immediate removal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's pictures from Ramazan ration bags distributed in Punjab.
The court ruled against issuing a stay order for the removal, citing procedural and legal considerations.
The petition, filed by citizen Munir Ahmed, raised concerns over the publication of Nawaz Sharif's photo on ration bags distributed during Ramazan. Ahmed argued that the use of public funds for personal publicity was inappropriate and demanded the removal of the picture.
During the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim presided over the case and deliberated on the arguments presented by both parties. While acknowledging the concerns raised by the petitioner, the court emphasized the need for due process and adherence to legal procedures.
Justice Karim highlighted that the matter required a thorough examination and urged all parties to uphold the rule of law. The court has sought arguments from the Punjab government and others on the matter.
The petitioner maintained that if pictures have to be published on the bags, the ration must be distributed with personal resources also. "The self-respect of citizens is being undermined," the petition added.
It requested the court to order the removal of Nawaz Sharif's photographs from the ration bags.
Responding to the petition, the Punjab government and other concerned parties defended the inclusion of Nawaz Sharif's picture on the ration bags, asserting that it was a matter of public welfare and not personal publicity.
In light of the court's decision, the debate over the use of public resources for political purposes continues. Critics argue that the inclusion of political figures' pictures on essential commodities undermines the dignity of citizens and raises questions about transparency and accountability in government initiatives.
