The Punjab government has barred cabinet members, advisers, special assistants and other individuals from using official protocol without proper authorisation. The restricted privileges include permanent police escorts and official flags on vehicles.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, the government said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had ordered immediate action against the unauthorised use of official protocol. The Chief Minister’s Office has issued a notification titled ‘Chief Minister’s Priority Instructions’, directing the relevant authorities to ensure immediate compliance.
Rules on police escorts and official flags
According to the notification, no police escort may be permanently assigned to a provincial cabinet member, adviser, special assistant to the chief minister, parliamentary secretary, standing committee chairperson, Provincial Assembly member, government officer or private individual without valid authorisation. The directive applies to a wide range of officials and private individuals alike.
The notification also bans the use of a flagstaff or the display of an official flag on any vehicle by people who are not legally entitled to them. The Provincial Police Officer, or Inspector General of Police, has been directed to ensure immediate implementation and to withdraw all police escorts found to be deployed without valid authorisation, the notification added.
Chief Minister orders police to improve law and order
Earlier, Maryam Nawaz Sharif gave the police four weeks to improve the overall law and order situation, especially action on crimes against children and women. She warned that the officers involved would be dismissed if the situation did not improve.
The chief minister also voiced concern about law and order in Rawalpindi Division. She instructed police to step up efforts against severe crimes, internal corruption and unlawful gun possession. She gave these directions during a special law and order meeting attended by district police officers and regional police officers via video link.
