Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of doing politics on the issue of floods in Punjab, despite being an ally at the federal level.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the electric bus project in Dera Ghazi Khan, she said that distributing Rs10,000 under the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) would not help flood victims rebuild their lives.
Maryam Nawaz expressed regret that the PPP, despite being a coalition partner, politicized the flood crisis in Punjab. Without naming Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, she criticized his suggestion that Pakistan should appeal internationally for aid.
She said that as the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, she would not extend her hand before the world for money. “How can a self-respecting person ask for such help?” she asked.
BISP aid declared insufficient
The Punjab CM said that the Rs10,000 given through BISP was inadequate for families who had lost homes and crops in the floods. She argued that instead of this meagre sum, each affected family should receive at least Rs1 million to recover.
Maryam noted that free advice was being offered daily on seeking international help, but she dismissed it, reiterating that Punjab would manage its own relief efforts.
Criticism of Bilawal Bhutto’s position
Without taking Bilawal Bhutto’s name, she told him to “keep your advice to yourself,” stressing that Punjab was capable of handling matters independently.
She further questioned why funds from the National Finance Commission (NFC) were not being utilized for the people if not for disaster relief.
She warned that pointing fingers at Punjab would not be tolerated, saying, “If any finger is raised against the province, I will break it.”
South Punjab development highlighted
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that South Punjab was no longer being neglected. She said equal development opportunities were being provided across the province, rejecting attempts to draw a political line by repeatedly raising the South Punjab issue.
She highlighted relief measures in flood-affected areas, including tents, food, and rations, noting that provincial ministers had worked extensively during the crisis.
Maryam Nawaz insisted she had neither asked Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for funds nor diverted any federal aid. She added that ration cards were being given only to hardworking families struggling to meet household expenses, not to those relying on monthly stipends without effort.
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