PM Abbasi refrains public offices from publicizing his image in state ads

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has refrained all ministries from publicizing his image as PM in all state advertisements and campaigns, by opting to go against all existing norms of hunting popularity, ARY News reported on Friday.

In a notification issued by Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, it was said that PM Abbasi has prohibited all ministries, authorities, public corporations and departments from advertising his image in all kind of government funded commercials and campaigns.

All public offices have been urged to ensure the implementation of directives issued by the premier.

It merits to mention here that ousted PM Nawaz Sharif had been alleged of spending billions of rupees and misuse of funds for self-promotion through publicity campaigns.

Punjab’s provincial government led by deposed PM’s brother Shehbaz Sharif was also part of these state-funded campaigns for self-promotion of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s ex-supremo.

Moreover, Supreme Court of Pakistan had already restricted all public office holders from utilising national exchequer for self publicity and self promotion in one way or another.

Who is Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who was elected as Pakistan´s new prime minister (PM) after Nawaz Sharif’s ouster, is the former federal minister for petroleum and natural resources, and a businessman who launched the country´s most successful private airline.

Considered highly intelligent and a long-time loyalist of Nawaz Sharif, the 58-year-old Abbasi is currently acting as a placeholder for the Sharif dynasty.