The Ministry of Public Administration recently issued a letter to the secretaries and senior secretaries of all the ministries as a reminder to give necessary instructions to abide by the rules in this regard. The letter states that some public officials are expressing their personal views and statements, as well as publishing articles, on various electronic media talk-shows, print and online platforms. Their speeches include many of the government’s policy-making issues, all outside of the prior approval of the head of the department and their field of interest.
But why has the letter been sent in the first place? The public and the media already know about the corrupt activities of the present administration. There is nothing left to hide. Acting like a bride on the wedding night will not absolve the government of its blame as there is nothing that we already don’t know about the government.
This proves that the government has no control over its officials. It makes little sense otherwise to remind them of a rule which has already existed in the first place for over forty years .Government officials are not monks who live in a monastery and are thus vowed to silence but social beings who will vent their frustrations as and when they see fit.
Bank robbers, misuse of government funds, killing by police for extortion — all of these news don’t need the cooperation of government officials. These cannot remain secret. But sometimes may not found.
But the inability of the men in power not of their power base should be a matter of worry for the government. Without blaming the government servants for not being able to hide the truth the men in power should be aware of what to do for their own good. They cannot go on fighting the people and the truth.
