Fida Hussnain
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz came under fire after she donned the Punjab police uniform on Thursday.
Chief Minister Maryam opted to wear the Punjab police uniform when she reached Chung Police Training centre to observe the passing out parade. “After wearing this uniform for the first time, I realise it that it is a job of a great responsibility ,” said Chief Minister Maryam while addressing the ceremony.
The fresh cadets of police presented guard of honor to the chief minister, and displayed professionalism through the passing out parade. Inspector General of Police Punjab Usman Anwar and other senior officials were also present there on the occasion.
The CM said she knew that “you people [the police] are fully are of your responsibilities. I take decisions and you people enforce them. Your responsibility is big. Your sympathies should be with the oppressed and not with the oppressor,”.
She said, “I don’t have passion to take revenge. There must be Justice in our society. I hope you will bring the oppressors to justice,”.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, especially Shahbaz Gill and Chaudhary Moonis Elahi criticized CM Maryam for wearing the police uniform.
On the other hand, Advocate Aftab Bajwa moved a local court against CM Maryam for wearing the police uniform. Bajwa filed a plea in tye sessions court under Section 22 A and 22 B of the Criminal Procedure Code and asked the court to order the Old Anarkali police station to lodge FIR against Maryam Nawaz.
The lawyer said that Maryam is not the police official and nor she is the government servant. By wearing the police uniform, the lawyer said, CM Maryam violated the law and a criminal case be registered against her.
Reacting to the criticism, Punjab Minister for Information Azma Bokhari said, “that group is criticising the CM whose leader is not ready to accept his own daughter,”. Azma said, “May God all those who are criticising CM Maryam be patients,”.
She stated that it is a worldwide practice as leaders in different parts of the world wear uniforms of their forces in a bid to encourage them.
“Mian Nawaz also did the same in his tenure while Maryam Nawaz has maintained that legacy,” she added.
Maryam Nawaz, Azma said, is pride of the women. Criticising the PTI top leadership, Azma stated that “Diamond rings were stolen, precious jewellery was stolen, and transfer and posting was done under Burqa (clad),”. She was indirectly referring to BushraBibi.
The Punjab Minister said that CM Maryam Nawaz attempted to increase respect of the police uniform by wearing it. “CM Maryam is now a role model for the women,” she added.
The minister said that trolling and propaganda would not cause any damage to the role of the chief minister as she would emerge successful through her role and services.
