ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday reserved judgment on the use of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) flag on the Sehat Card.

A single bench of Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNAs, Barrister Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha and Noorul Hassan Tanveer, to stop the use of the PTI flag on the health cards.

During the hearing, Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Tayyab Shah submitted reply on behalf of the Health Ministry.

Justice Minallah questioned what is printed on Sehat Card?

He said according to the Supreme Court's decision no one can be allowed to advertise its own party with public money.

The DAG contended that the apex court's decision came during the election time and was for a specific period.

The IHC CJ asked him not to defend anything, which is not lawful.

The law is equal for all.

What is wrong for others is also wrong for the present government.

The DAG stated that there is no picture or slogan on the health card; therefore, it is not a violation of the apex court's verdict.

The court observed that a plain reading of the said order of the apex court unequivocally shows that public funds cannot be used in any manner for "self projection and aggrandizement" under the garb of informing the public about the projects completed or being undertaken by the respective governments.

The petitioners contended that the federal and the provincial governments prima facie, appeared to be violating the order of the Supreme Court, dated 28 February 2018, passed in suo motu case of 2018 by printing or displaying pictures of public office holders, flags or colours of political parties or other content having the effect of "self projection and aggrandizement", whether directly or indirectly. The bench after hearing the arguments reserved the verdict.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020