ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken a serious exception to the display of \u201cpomp and show\u201d and \u201cpersonal aggrandisement\u201d by the top city managers during the Independence Day parade in Islamabad, directing them to ensure that such conduct does not recur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a formal advisory, Establishment Division Joint Secretary (Discipline) Syeda Shafaq Hashmi conveyed the Prime Minister\u2019s displeasure to Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi and Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf over their appearance in a ceremonial horse-drawn buggy during the August 14 celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The advisory, addressed separately to the IGP and CDA chairman, said the prime minister had taken a \u201cvery serious view\u201d of the incident at the official function held on August 14, when the two senior officials rode in a ceremonial horse-drawn buggy, attracting widespread public criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the document, the prime minister expressed \u201cdeep disappointment and displeasure\u201d at the display of pomp and show, observing that it projected an image of \u201cprivilege, ostentation and personal aggrandisement\u201d that was at odds with the ethos of public service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both turned up at Independence Day event in buggy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prime minister stressed that civil servants and public functionaries should demonstrate humility, restraint, dignity and sound judgment at all times. Such conduct, he observed, undermined public confidence in public institutions and was inconsistent with the standards expected of senior civil servants and government officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The advisory further reminded the officials that, as administrators of the federal capital, they were expected to uphold the highest standards of propriety, conduct and responsible governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou are advised to be careful in the performance of your duties, and ensure that such conduct should not recur,\u201d the advisory stated, adding that it should be treated as an instruction for \u201cstrict compliance in letter and spirit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prime minister\u2019s reprimand comes days after a video of the two officials riding into the Independence Day parade in what appeared to be the presidential buggy went viral on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The footage showed Mr Rizvi and Mr Ashraf arriving in the horse carriage while the gathering was apparently prompted to applaud. However, no applause could be heard in the widely circulated clip. The spectacle drew criticism online, with some users describing it as reminiscent of a colonial-era display of authority and privilege.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The episode, however, received a different interpretation from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who defended the two officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement on X, Mr Naqvi said the officials were not at fault, explaining that the chief guest and he had been delayed due to a meeting between the president and prime minister. As the public had been waiting since 5pm, he said, the officials were instructed to commence the programme around 6pm rather than keep the crowd waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the minister, the horse carriage had originally been arranged for the chief guest but had to be used by the officers because of \u201cunavoidable circumstances\u201d. He said both officials had initially resisted starting the programme in the absence of the chief guest and the minister but proceeded only after being specifically instructed to do so for the convenience of the public.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken a serious exception to the display of \u201cpomp and show\u201d and \u201cpersonal aggrandisement\u201d by the top city managers during the Independence Day parade in Islamabad, directing them to ensure that such conduct does not recur. In a formal advisory, Establishment Division Joint Secretary (Discipline) Syeda Shafaq Hashmi […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":131676,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-131675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n