The Punjab government has directed all administrative departments and field formations to ensure that no provincial government funds, official machinery, vehicles or personnel are used to facilitate any march, procession or rally heading towards Islamabad. The directives were issued on Saturday through a letter by the Implementation and Coordination (I&C) Wing of the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD), Punjab, in pursuance of an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order issued on Sept 14 in a petition titled Waqas Ahmed vs Federation of Pakistan and others (W.P.

SO (I&C-I) 5-45/2026, was addressed to all administrative secretaries, Inspector General of Police Punjab, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners, directing them to ensure "immediate and complete" compliance with the court's order. Under the instructions, no funds, government resources or official personnel belonging to the Punjab government are to be used for any march, procession or rally proceeding towards the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

The departments have specifically been directed to ensure that no government employee or officer is directly or indirectly engaged in such activities or assigned any duty aimed at facilitating the programmes. The provincial government has also imposed a blanket prohibition on the use of government vehicles, machinery and equipment for facilitating participants of such marches and processions. The letter further makes it clear that government employees cannot be compelled, induced or subjected to pressure to participate in any rally or procession.

All provincial departments have been instructed to communicate the directions immediately to their subordinate offices, attached departments, autonomous bodies and field formations to ensure that the court's directions are implemented at every administrative level. The government has also put in place a mechanism for reporting alleged coercion of public servants. According to the letter, any employee or officer who is forced by a political leader or office-bearer to participate in a rally may lodge a complaint with the Provincial Intelligence Cell, Punjab.

The complaints can be made through helpline numbers 042-99210114 and 042-99214494. The provincial government has warned that violation of the court order would have departmental consequences.