Jammu: Authorities have demanded an immediate explanation from a block medical officer following the circulation of an allegedly unauthorised and deceptive pamphlet featuring the slogan "Polio Free Pakistan."

The directive was issued by the Rajouri chief medical officer, who mandated that the Kandi official submit a detailed response within 24 hours.

In an official communication, the CMO stated that an advertisement concerning the 2026 Intensified Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme was distributed across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups. The presentation of the advertisement falsely implied that it had been officially published or sanctioned by the office of the Kandi block medical officer.

The order noted that an evaluation of the material revealed it featured the logo of the National Emergency Operations Centre along with the slogan "Polio Free Pakistan." Government officials emphasised that neither the logo nor the slogan has any relevance to the initiatives or communications of the Jammu and Kashmir health and medical education department, or the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The distributed pamphlet also displayed the name and professional title of the block medical officer currently under investigation.

Administrative officials categorised the logo and slogan as prima facie unauthorised and misleading, noting they possessed the potential to generate public confusion regarding official state health programs. The official letter indicated that the promotional material was shared on social media by Community Health Officer Ayub Lone.

Local authorities are treating the matter with "utmost seriousness," stating that the incident could undermine public confidence and bring disrepute to the health department, according to the communication.

The CMO instructed the block medical officer to deliver a comprehensive report and a written explanation within one day to clarify whether the document had been compiled, authorised, printed, published, or distributed with official state approval.

The official was further directed to identify the specific personnel or agencies responsible for the creation, graphic design, approval, printing, and circulation of the pamphlet.

Additionally, the block medical officer must explain under whose authority the specific logo and textual contents were integrated into the document, while the community health officer must explain why he permitted the dissemination of the material.

The CMO ordered that, henceforth, no promotional material, advertisement, poster, pamphlet, or social media content may be issued or distributed under the name of the medical office without strict prior verification and formal clearance.

With inputs from PTI