The Federal and all the provincial governments have told public servants that they would be subject to punitive measures if they are found interacting with media people. According to sources in Islamabad, the authority is of the view that the government servants have been interacting with media and expressing their opinions, which often militate against government's own policy actions and preferences, through articles that they contribute to newspapers.
Therefore, the government has directed all public servants under Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1964 not to carry out such communications/statements of opinion and articles without prior approval. The sources said the authority has also polled the reference of rules 21 and 22 of Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1964 in its written communication to prohibit interaction of government servants with the media (both print and electronic) through participation in a radio or television programme or contribute any article or write any letter to any newspaper or periodical expressing views on government policy and political issues.
Moreover, the sources said the authority has ordered all ministries and divisions to bring aforesaid provisions of Rules to the notice of all public servants for strict compliance and added that all defaulting government servants would now be prosecuted under government servants (efficiency & discipline) Rules 1973.