Politicians barred from putting up name plates on development project

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday banned politician from putting up plaques of their name on development projects. 

A two-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, heard the case pertaining to the expanding development fund of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as per the law and constitution.

The court has given two weeks to the federal and provincial governments to submit the report related to KP’s development funds, as well as the report regarding the implementation of a recent ruling about the banning of memorial tablet on development projects.

The court said, in its remarks, that Pakistan is a democratic country instead of a kingdom ship, and "the people living here are not interdependent on anyone".

The apex court added that all political parties have been violating the court's rulings by using development funds in advertisements.

CJP remarked that all political parties are on the same page on the issue of personal publicity and development funds, on which the Advocate General Punjab told the court that he had asked the government to implement the Supreme Court decision.

“Does the constitution allow spending money on any project without approval from the lower house?” asked CJP

“The fundamental aim to reach assembly is to do legislation and to take permission for spending fund,” he maintained.

CJP Isa also lashed out at the authorities for giving instant approvals to the lawmakers to buy Land Cruisers.

"Why the development schemes are being made in the name of politicians instead of the founding members of Pakistan," the apex court's head questioned.

"If they [politicians] spend money from their pocket, they have the right to put up a plaque on a development project."

The court directed the government’s counsel to comply with an apex court order of 2021 and sought a report on the implementation of the recent order within 15 days.

In 2021, Justice Qazi Faez Isa took notice of acquiring funds from politicians in the name of the development budget. At the time, he referred the matter to then-CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial for the formation of the bench for hearing.