LAHORE: A war of words between the Sindh and Punjab governments intensified after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz warned of dire consequences over Sindh leaders’ remarks about Punjab, saying that while she remains open to personal criticism, she will not spare those who speak against the province with malicious intent.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of electric buses in Faisalabad on Monday, Maryam declared: “If criticism is directed at me, I will say nothing. But if anyone talks against Punjab, its development, or its rights, Maryam Nawaz will not spare them.”
She credited senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders for their loyalty to her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, during difficult times. Citing Rana Sanaullah, she recalled his words: “If I stood 100 per cent with Nawaz Sharif before, today I stand 1,000 per cent with him.”
The chief minister noted that her pictures often receive wide publicity, which critics use against her. “When you work, your pictures will be everywhere. If I am criticised, I will stay quiet. But if you speak against Punjab’s progress and rights, I will personally respond,” she warned.
The CM stated that serving Punjab’s people was both a divine trust and a responsibility given by the public. “The people treat me with love and kindness. Even if I shed the last drop of my blood for their rights, it will not be enough,” she said.
Addressing recent objections about Punjab’s use of water resources, Maryam said Punjab only consumes its fair share. “Punjab does not steal water. My water and my resources are my right—why should that bother anyone? If work is done in Sindh, I will be happy. But don’t give us advice; keep it to yourself,” she asserted.
Highlighting her government’s initiatives, she announced the induction of 150 electric buses for public transport in Punjab. Faisalabad will receive 90 buses, Jhang 30, while Chiniot and Toba Tek Singh will each receive 15. She noted that this marks the first-ever public transport system for Faisalabad.
BISP’s role in flood victim support sparks fresh war of words
The PPP and the PML-N renewed their verbal spat over the use of the Benazir Income Support Programme for providing support to the flood-affected people in Punjab.
The PPP has long been advocating the proposal that the BISP would be most suitable way to support the flood victims, however, the Punjab government, led by the PML-N, is averse to the idea. The provincial government insists that the government’s flood relief efforts were going on well.
The BISP is a national programme to provide cash assistance to poor and vulnerable families, particularly targeting women. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari warned that it would be “irresponsible to not utilise” the BISP — the “most effective way” — to distribute aid.
Her comments came a day after Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari revealed that the provincial government would issue “relief cards” to the flood victims in their personal names from its own resources instead of using the BISP to assist them.
Aseefa wrote on X that recent unprecedented floods in Punjab impacted more than 4 million people, stressing that the BISP would be the most effective and fastest way for the distribution of aid.
“The Benazir Income Support Programme is the fastest and most effective way to distribute relief. Not utilizing one of the state’s key organizations, which has both the data and the capacity to deliver assistance, would be irresponsible,” she posted.
However, Bokhari strongly criticised the PPP dragging the BISP into the floods. “No one wants to abolish the BISP. The question is: why do you want to use it during floods?” Bukhari asked “Dragging it repeatedly into flood politics is exactly what we call politicisation,” she remarked.
She accused the PPP of ignoring the interests of the people of Punjab and resorting to flood politics. She defended Punjab government’s performance during the floods, saying that even the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari himself had praised Maryam Nawaz.
Questioning the PPP’s role in Punjab, the provincial information minister said: “When will you, while living in Punjab, ever fight Punjab’s case? Do you want the people of Punjab to be deprived of wheat, flour, and bread?”
She added: “If you were capable of doing anything, you wouldn’t be sitting at home telling us where the flood was going to strike or where the embankment was going to breach. Such decisions are made by governments according to situations and circumstances.”
