In a bizarre directive on Wednesday, the Balochistan government ordered all of its top employees, including the heads of all departments and senior officials, to set their ringback tone to the “Pakistan zindabad” (long live Pakistan) track. From now on, the caller will hear the “Pakistan zindabad” track before the receiver answers their phone.
According to the official notification issued on September 29th by section officer Bahadur Khan of the provincial government’s Services and General Administration Department, the decision was taken during a meeting presided by the chief secretary. The notification also directs the top employers to make sure that their subordinates also abide by the new rule.
“The Government of Balochistan, Science and Information Technology Department has conveyed that in pursuance to the decision made in the meeting held under the Chairmanship of worthy Chief Secretary, for the setting of mobile Ring-Back Tone “Pakistan Zindabad” by Administrative Secretaries, Additional Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries and head of attached Departments on their cell/contact numbers”, the notification states.
The notification does not specify a reason for the unexpected move. But it explains the procedure of setting up the new ringback tone on various cellular services.
The government’s move raised eyebrows among social media users who were taken aback by the directive. “Directing officials in Balochistan to set ringtone to Pakistan Zindabad! What else does a colony look like?” one journalist asked in a veiled criticism.