KARACHI: The
Sindh government has barred its own
officials and that of the provincial police force
from participating in TV talk
shows and other programmes without prior official authorization.In this regard, a circular dated 10th December, 2019 been issued having subject: “Media talk/participation in TV programmes by the
government Officers without permission/authorization” by Additional Secretary (Services-1) at the Services, General Administration, and Coordination Department of
Sindh government. The circular was sent to the heads of all departments of
Sindh government, commissioners, deputy commissioners, and inspector general of
Sindh Police.The circular states: “I am directed to refer to the subject noted above and to state that certain
government Officers/Civil Servants have been seen taking part in television talk shows/programmes and tendering their opinion/views without prior authorization of the respective competent authority which is against the rules."In this regard attention is invited to Rule-56(l) of the
Sindh government Rules of Business 1986, which states that no
government servant shall, unless generally or specially authorized in this behalf, communicate to the Press,
officials belonging to other
government Offices or any private individual, any information acquired directly or indirectly
from official record or in the discharge of his official duties. Sub-Rule (iv) of Rule-56 further states that no person other than a Minister, Secretary, or such other officer as may be authorized, shall act as official spokesman of government."Further, Rule-22 of
government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1964 (Rules governing the Conduct of the Federal
government Officers) and Rule-23 of the
Sindh Civil Servants (Conduct) Rules, 2008 which in essence say that no civil servant shall, in any document published, or in any public utterance or radio broadcast delivered, or in any television prorgramme attended by him, make any statement of fact or opinion or act in a manner which is capable of embarrassing the Central or any Provincial Government."Rule-22 of the
Sindh Servants (Conduct) Rules, 2008 states that no civil servants shall except with the previous sanction of
government or any other authority empowered by it in this behalf, or in this bona fide discharge of his duties, participate in a radio broadcast or television programme, or contribute any article or write any letter either anonymously or in his own name or in any other name, to any newspaper or periodical."I am, therefore, directed to bring this to your notice and convey that the competent authority has taken serious view of this and has directed to bar all officers and
officials from unauthorized appearance before media for opinion making. Any civil servant found indulging in this practice in violation of the aforementioned conduct rules shall be strictly dealt with and proceeded against under the relevant rules.”
أكثر...