LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday declared that those advocating the division of Punjab into northern and southern provinces “cannot be considered friends,” stressing that she envisioned the province as a single, undivided unit.
Addressing a ceremony at the University of Home Economics to honour position-holding students, the chief minister said her government had “put a full stop to mismanagement and violations of merit.” She maintained that in today’s Punjab, “positions are no longer sold in educational institutions, nor is merit compromised.”
Maryam underscored that talk of creating new provinces out of Punjab was contrary to public interest. “There is no division in my mind. Punjab will remain one, and those who talk against it are not well-wishers,” she remarked.
On provincial resources, she stressed parity, asserting that “no one has more or less, everyone has equal rights,” and announced that 90,000 houses were being built across Punjab with fairness in distribution. She added that in the past four years, contracts had been awarded based on political affiliation, but her government had cancelled all such agreements. “I am going to the big cities only after giving the share to the small ones,” she said.
Highlighting relief efforts, Maryam described Punjab’s rescue operation during the recent historic floods as “unprecedented.” She promised that if her government completes its five-year tenure, Punjab will emerge as a highly developed province. “Those who encourage violence cannot be your friends,” she warned, positioning herself as “the protector of Punjab and of the people’s self-respect.”
The chief minister also lauded the achievements of position-holder students, saying they had brought glory to Pakistan. She extended congratulations to their parents and teachers, whom she credited for nurturing their success.
