Jammu Tawi, Jun 29: Authorities have sought an urgent explanation from a block medical officer (BMO) over the circulation of an allegedly unauthorised and misleading pamphlet bearing the slogan “Polio Free Pakistan.”
The order was issued by the Rajouri chief medical officer (CMO), seeking an urgent explanation from the Kandi officer within a day.
In an official communication, the CMO said an advertisement related to the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) Programme, 2026, was circulated on social media and WhatsApp groups, creating the impression that it had been officially issued or endorsed by the office of the Kandi BMO.
The order said scrutiny of the material revealed that it carried the logo of the national emergency operations centre (NEOC) and a slogan “Polio Free Pakistan”, which had no relevance to any programme or communication of the Jammu and Kashmir health and medical education department or the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The pamphlet also carried the name and designation of the BMO now under scrutiny.
The logo and slogan were termed prima facie unauthorised, misleading and capable of creating public confusion regarding official government health initiatives. The letter said the ad material was circulated on social media by Community Health Officer Ayub Lone.
The matter has been viewed with “utmost seriousness” by the local authorities, which said it could adversely affect public confidence and bring disrepute to the department, the communication said.
The CMO directed the BMO to submit a detailed report and written explanation within a day, explaining whether the material had been prepared, approved, printed, published or circulated with official authorisation.
The officer was also asked to identify the officials or agencies responsible for preparing, designing, approving, printing and circulating the pamphlet.
He was also asked to explain under whose authority the logo and contents were incorporated. An explanation was also sought from the community health officer on why he allowed its dissemination.
The CMO ordered that no material, advertisement, poster, pamphlet or social media content be issued or circulated in the name of the office without verification and approval.
