ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday ordered an inquiry against a senior joint secretary of the Cabinet Division for “mocking” the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on social media platforms.
According to a statement of allegations issued by the Establishment Division on Monday, BS-21 officer Hammad Shamimi had posted a comment on a social media page/platform that was tantamount to misconduct under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
Shamimi, in an alleged post on social media, had said, “A similarity between Taliban and Imran Khan-led PTI government is that both are contemplating about how to run the government after coming into power.”
Per the details mentioned in the text of the order, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director-General Dr Sanaullah Abbasi will conduct the inquiry against Shamimi.
It said the inquiry should be completed within 60 days, while the inquiry officer must “submit a probe report to the Authority within seven days of the completion of the inquiry with clear findings”.
As per the directives, the final report will be submitted to PM Imran Khan as Shamimi has breached the code of conduct. Moreover, it is pertinent to mention here that the inquiry against the government official will be conducted under civil servant rules.
On August 25, the Establishment Division had barred government servants from participating in any media platform except with the permission of the government.
The notification had said that instructions were not intended “to discourage any constructive and positive use of social media by a government organisation for engaging the people to solicit feedback on a government policy, suggestions for improvement in service delivery and resolution of their complaints”.
“But such an organisation shall maintain their social media platforms continuously or frequently to remove offensive, inappropriate and objectionable remarks,” it had said.
