Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has directed senior Islamabad officials to avoid conduct that could be seen as ostentatious after their appearance in a horse-drawn buggy at the Independence Day celebrations.
The Establishment Division conveyed the prime minister’s instructions to Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi and Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf through separate advisories issued by Joint Secretary (Discipline) Syeda Shafaq Hashmi.
The two officials had arrived at the August 14 event in a ceremonial buggy, with footage of their appearance later circulating widely on social media, drawing public criticism.
The advisory said that the prime minister viewed the incident with “deep disappointment and displeasure”, saying that the display created an impression of “privilege, ostentation and personal aggrandisement”.
Shehbaz stressed that government officials and civil servants were expected to maintain humility, restraint and dignity while performing their duties. He also said such conduct could affect public confidence in government institutions.
The officials were reminded that their roles as administrators of the federal capital required them to maintain standards of propriety and responsible governance.
“You are advised to be careful in the performance of your duties, and ensure that such conduct should not recur,” the advisory stated, directing the officials to follow the instruction in “letter and spirit”.
The prime minister’s reprimand followed the circulation of a video showing the two officials arriving at the Independence Day parade in what appeared to be the presidential buggy.
The footage showed Rizvi and Ashraf riding in the horse-drawn carriage as those present appeared to be prompted to applaud. However, no applause was audible in the widely shared video. The scene drew criticism on social media, with some users likening it to displays of authority and privilege associated with the colonial era.
