Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has declared the PML-N’s by-election triumph a decisive “victory of performance,” arguing that the results show public rejection of political boycotts and narratives built on controversy.
She made these remarks during a special meeting with provincial ministers and secretaries on Monday.
Maryam Nawaz said the public had delivered a clear verdict in favour of the PML-N, describing the by-election as a referendum on governance.
She claimed that Peshawar, the capital of KP, looked like a city “stuck in 1915,” where citizens are desperately yearning for development, which she said explains why the Haripur seat went to the PML-N in the name of Nawaz Sharif.
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The chief minister said, “They fought the election in the name of prisoner number 804 and lost. The claims of popularity have collapsed. Boycotting the election is simply an expression of disappointment and hypocrisy.”
According to her, “crying” has become the habit of the opposition, who continue to complain even after the defeat.
Previous use of state machinery
Maryam congratulated PML-N’s successful candidates, reminding them that the party had once fought elections “even when the entire state machinery was against the PML-N.”
She stressed that elections are won through performance, not slogans, adding, “There can be no better narrative than performance itself.” She also took a direct swipe at the former intelligence chief, saying, “Today there is no Faiz Hameed or the judges who used to make him win.”
Criticism of opponents and past elections
Maryam Nawaz criticized those who boycotted the by-elections, insisting that if they were confident of winning, they would have never avoided the contest. She referenced past elections in GB, Azad Kashmir, and Daska, alleging those polls were rigged.
In a pointed remark, she said: “They made the Daska election choke the voice of the people. If you have popularity, prove it.”
She recalled her early visit to Mianwali, saying the district felt “like the stone age,” but now “electric buses are running in Mianwali,” crediting PML-N for the transformation.
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She further said a former prime minister from Mianwali “came through rigging.”
Development claims and governance reforms
Maryam highlighted her government’s flood-relief efforts, stating that five million people were moved to safe locations during recent floods, with every Punjab department working “unitedly” and protecting the self-respect of affected citizens.
Regarding environmental concerns, she said smog conditions had improved significantly within one year.
“Every year we faced shutdowns due to smog, but this year no shutdowns were needed,” she added.
She also promised that no more encroachments would be tolerated in Punjab, urging the public to question leaders who fail to spend resources effectively.
Sharp remarks on PTI leadership
Maryam Nawaz targeted PTI leaders, especially those aligned with the “prisoner number 804” narrative, saying the PML-N defeated them even “in their own home” constituency of Haripur.
“For how long will people be fed with the words of prisoner number 804? People now want development,” she said.
She recalled hardships faced during her own imprisonment, noting she was allowed to meet Nawaz Sharif only once a week and received the news of her mother’s death while in jail, yet did not boycott elections.
She accused PTI of hypocrisy, saying, “They are suffering the consequences of their actions. You do not even have the right to be called a political party.”
Finally, she said the people of Punjab have rejected “the politics of lies, hypocrisy and conspiracy” and embraced service and stability.
