By Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday firmly declined to apologise for her sharp remarks against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally of her Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) in the federal government, as tensions escalated over flood relief and a controversial canal project.
The ongoing war of words between the PMLN and PPP, which intensified over disagreements on distributing flood compensation through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), reached a new peak after Nawaz dismissed PPP objections to a contentious canal project on the Indus River during an event in Faisalabad.
The PPP has pushed for aid to flood victims through BISP, a proposal rejected by the Punjab government. “As chief minister, if I don’t speak for Punjab, then who will?” Nawaz said at a Lahore event, held at Home Economics University. Her remarks came in response to criticism from the PPP, which she countered by vowing to defend Punjab’s interests whenever they are challenged. She also took a veiled swipe at critics who urged her to seek international aid during recent floods. “I would never ask my people to beg with a bowl in hands, nor would I allow their dignity to be compromised.”
Nawaz’s speech, delivered before an audience of students, educators, and officials, was both a defence of her government’s record and a bold vision for Punjab’s future. Without naming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated, she referenced the violent May 9 events. “Whoever encourages you to burn and surround is your biggest enemy,” Nawaz said. “On May 9, children were asked to attack the country, but their own children are sitting outside.”
Addressing the flood crisis affecting 27 districts, Nawaz said 1,602 teams were conducting door-to-door surveys to verify crop losses, damaged houses, and perished livestock. Financial assistance through the Bank of Punjab will begin next week, with Nawaz pledging full transparency to ensure “no flood victim will be denied their due rights.” “My job is to protect the lives, property, and self-respect of Punjab’s people. I will always raise my voice for them.”
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