Secretary removed for publishing KP CM’s photos in govt ads

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has removed Secretary Information KP Arshad Khan from his post, reportedly over the publication of his photographs in provincial government ads.

Sources said the inclusion of large-sized images of the chief minister in official ads drew his ire, prompting him to take strict notice and instruct the chief secretary to investigate the violation of issued guidelines.

On Saturday, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat wrote a letter to the KP chief secretary, expressing displeasure over the repeated publication of Gandapur’s photos in government-funded newspaper ads.

The letter noted that clear directives had been issued, barring the use of political figures’ images in official ads. It also mentioned that the chief minister had reiterated this policy during a recent Iftar gathering with journalists.

Despite these instructions, the policy was “deliberately and blatantly” ignored once again in Saturday’s ads, the letter stated. The Chief Minister’s Secretariat has directed the chief secretary to take action against those responsible within 72 hours and submit a report.

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Meanwhile, the KP Establishment Department issued a notification on Saturday evening, reassigning senior Grade-21 officer and Secretary Information Arshad Khan to report to the Establishment Department.

The move comes days after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz faced backlash over full-page government ads, featuring her statements and project announcements on the front pages of several newspapers.

The ads, marking the completion of one year of the Punjab government, resembled a news article but was, in fact, a promotional ad dominated by Maryam Nawaz’s statements.

It carried the slogan: “Jazba-e-khidmat ho to kuch bhi namumkin nahi” (With the spirit of service, nothing is impossible) and listed various project announcements by the chief minister.

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As soon as the ads went viral, it sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the Punjab government of blurring the lines between news and propaganda.

The controversy has reignited discussions on government-funded media campaigns and the ethical responsibilities of news organisations.