JournalismPakistan.com | Published March 13, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spent around Rs 1.63 billion on media campaigns in the last five years to highlight its performance, a senior official informed the Supreme Court on Monday.
KP Information Secretary Qaisar Alam told a three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar, during the hearing of a suo motu case of alleged spending of hefty amounts on advertisements by provincial governments of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh to highlight their achievements ahead of elections later this year.
During the hearing, the chief justice asked how many advertisements were issued to print and electronic media organizations by the KP government and how many of them carried the photo of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Chief Minister Pervez Khattak (pictured).
To this, Alam informed the bench that the provincial government spent Rs 1.63 billion on advertisements during the last five years, while Rs 204.7 million were spent for the purpose during the last three months, DawnNews reported.
The chief justice then directed the secretary to submit details of KP government's advertisement expenditure of the last year, and bring with him copies of ads which carried photos of Khan and Khattak.
The CJP also asked whether Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had deposited Rs5.5 million to the national exchequer that the apex court had directed him to pay last week for spending on a media campaign.
The additional advocate general Punjab then submitted a copy of the cheque of Rs5.5 million that was paid by Sharif.
The amount was reimbursed from "party funds," the advocate told the court.
Stressing that the funds spent on political advertisement campaigns belonged to the treasury, Justice Nisar said: "We have nothing against the advertisements, but they should not be for personal publicity."
He also said that the photographs of late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also should not appear in government advertisements.
The money spent on government advertisements belonged to the people of Pakistan, the CJP said, adding that the court wants to end the wastage of public funds.
Justice Nisar stressed that the court was not ending the flow of advertisements to newspapers, but only halting "a category of advertisements," and adjourned the hearing. - Agencies/Photo courtesy: Samaa TV
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.