LHC requests the Punjab government’s response to Nawaz Sharif’s public advertisements.

Regarding the use of Nawaz Sharif’s photos in government-funded commercials, the Punjab government has been asked to provide an official answer by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Justice Farooq Haider presided over the hearing of petitions filed against the state-sponsored ads featuring PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, allegedly issued on the instructions of Maryam Nawaz.

The Chief Secretary and other respondents failed to submit their reply, which greatly displeased the court.

“Is this how you respect the courts?” Justice Haider asked during the hearings. You haven’t sent in a response? You completely violate court orders. The judge threatened to make a unilateral decision on the petitions if no answers were received by the next hearing.

The court also summoned the Advocate General Punjab immediately, demanding an explanation for the non-compliance with its previous orders.

Through ads that featured Nawaz Sharif, the petitioners claimed that taxpayer-funded public funds were being misappropriated for political ends. They asked the court to declare the advertisements illegal and ban them, arguing that such actions were against the law and the constitution.

Earlier, In March 2024, the move to place the picture of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on the newly launched Kisan Card was also challenged in the Lahore High Court.

Mashkoor Hussain, a citizen, used a lawyer to move the LHC. The petition named Nawaz Sharif, the chief minister, and the province government as respondents.

The petitioner prayed that the public funds could not be used for personal publicity and it’s against the law to paste the picture of Nawaz Sharif on Kisan Card.