Unauthorised pamphlet carrying the slogan ‘Polio Free Pakistan’ in Jammu triggers probe. Photo credit: PTI
The Jammu and Kashmir health department has sought an urgent explanation from a Block medical officer (BMO) in Rajouri after an allegedly unauthorised pamphlet carrying the slogan ‘Polio Free Pakistan’ surfaced on social media.The Rajouri chief medical officer (CMO) issued the order to the BLO, Kandi, directing the officer to submit a detailed explanation within a day over the circulation of the material.According to the official communication cited by PTI, an advertisement related to the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunisation (IPPI) programme, 2026 was circulated on social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, creating the impression that it had been officially issued or endorsed by the office of the Kandi BMO.The CMO said scrutiny of the pamphlet found that it carried the logo of the National emergency operations centre (NEOC) and the slogan “Polio Free Pakistan”, which, the department said, had no connection with any programme or communication issued by the Jammu and Kashmir health and medical education department or the union ministry of health and family welfare.According to the order, the pamphlet also carried the name and designation of the block medical officer under scrutiny. The communication described the logo and slogan as ‘prima facie unauthorised’, misleading and capable of creating public confusion regarding official government health initiatives.The order further stated that the advertisement material was circulated on social media by community health officer Ayub Lone, PTI reported.The CMO said the matter had been viewed with “utmost seriousness”, warning that it could adversely affect public confidence and bring disrepute to the department.The block medical officer has been directed to submit a detailed report explaining whether the material had been prepared, approved, printed, published or circulated with official authorisation.The officer has also been asked to identify the officials or agencies responsible for preparing, designing, approving, printing and circulating the pamphlet, and explain under whose authority the logo and contents were incorporated.Separately, an explanation has also been sought from the community health officer over why he permitted the pamphlet’s circulation, PTI reported.The CMO has further directed that no material, advertisement, poster, pamphlet or social media content be issued or circulated in the name of the office without prior verification and approval.
